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* Diet and Health Date Published: 23/04/2009 *
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- Healthy lifestyle
- Eating 5 a day
- Eating foods with low fat or less sugar
- Related items

 

Healthy lifestyle

84% of shoppers claim to do at least something to promote a healthy lifestyle. Of the 16% who say they are not doing anything 11% are uninterested or don’t know while 5% believe their lifestyle is already healthy.

The number who eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day has steadily increased from 32% in 2006 to 41% in 2009. The number of shoppers looking to eat low fat versions of food has not changed since 2007, while those eating foods with less sugar has increased from 28% to 37%.

The top four activities for a healthy lifestyle were each mentioned by approximately four in ten shoppers.

  • Eating 5 portions of fruit and vegetable (41%)
  • Take more exercise (37%)
  • Eat low fat versions of food (37%)
  • Eat foods with less sugar (37%)


Which are you currently doing for a healthy lifestyle?

Which are you currently doing for a healthy lifestyle? (Source: IGD Consumer Unit, 2009)

Source: IGD Consumer Unit, 2009

Eating 5 a day

The increase in shoppers claiming to eat foods that contribute to their 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day is supported by figures from the latest Expenditure and Food Survey published by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) . The 2008 report recorded an upward trend in household purchases of fruit and vegetables, with an increase of 6.5% since 2004-05.

The Department of Health's 2008 Health Survey for England reports that 28% of men and 32% of women consume 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

The Expenditure and Food Survey (2008) also indicated that in general, purchases of fruit and vegetables increase with income, with lowest income two adult households purchasing the equivalent of one portion of fruit or vegetables per day less than those with a middle income.

More information on Fruit and Vegetables - Five A Day

 

Eating foods with low fat or less sugar

The number of shoppers saying they eat low fat versions of food as part of a healthy lifestyle has remained at around 37% since 2007 while the number eating foods with less sugar has increased to a similar level.

This may be in response to the extensive media coverage on obesity. For example:

  • The 2008 Health Survey for England reported that 24% of adults have a Body Mass Index (BMI) within the obese range, up from 13% of men and 16% of women in 1993.
  • The 2007 Foresight Report forecasts dramatic increases in obesity levels over coming years, predicting that half of all UK adults and around a quarter of all children will be classified obese by 2050.

It would appear that shoppers are focussing more on reducing their fat and sugar consumption as opposed to either:

  • Eating less – although this has increased from 14% of shoppers in 2006 to 19% in 2009.
  • Eating calorie controlled foods - which has shown a small increase to 14% of shoppers from 11% in 2006.

 

Related Items on IGD.com:

Factsheets:
-Balanced Diet
-Obesity
-Healthy Snacking

Free Guides:
- Sugars: Improving information and messages to consumers
- Portion Size: A Review of Existing Approaches
- Micronutrients

 
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