Food prices trap Brits into continuing obesity crisis

The 4th of March marks World Obesity Day and there is no better time to discuss this prevalent issue than today. Nearly two-thirds (63.8%) of adults in England are overweight or obese, and this statistic has been increasing year-on-year. And now, new research by YAZIO has revealed that 66% of the public is concerned about carrying a few extra pounds – and yet 65% find it hard to know how many calories they should eat and drink each day, which is not good news for managing their weight.

Respondents from the survey felt the cost of healthy food (45%), lack of nutritional knowledge (49%), and little time to plan and cook meals (34%) were some of the most challenging aspects of healthy eating. What’s more, more than half (53%) eat fast food at least once or twice a week and more than 1 in 4 (27%) only cook from scratch up to two times a week. This may indicate why the data also highlighted that nearly 6 in 10 (58%) find it hard to reduce their calorie intake and lose weight.

With so much misinformation surrounding nutrition – plus, no shortage of fad, celebrity-endorsed diets, promising an easy way to weight loss – it’s no wonder that so many of us are confused. But being a healthy weight is important to many of us (61%). And, whilst being healthy and feeling great is so much more than the calories we consume, to lose weight, we need to burn more calories than we take in. So, it doesn’t help that 42% don’t know how many calories they need to even maintain their weight.

Aston spoke to dietitian and nutritition consultant to YAZIO Helen Bond.

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash