RSPH report into obesity and supermarket tactics

New research has revealed that less than 1 in 5 (15%) of the public believe supermarkets are doing enough to tackle obesity, with almost half of consumers (48%) believing that legislation should be introduced to require supermarkets to proactively encourage healthier choices.

The new report, Health on the Shelf, published today by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and Slimming World exposes the marketing tactics used to drive sales of unhealthy products and reveals that supermarket layout, pricing strategies and shopping environment is fuelling the obesity epidemic. The report is published in advance of the Government’s expected response to the consultation on layout and price promotions.

The study which polled more than 2,000 Slimming World members also reveals that over one third (36%) of shoppers reported that they impulse purchase unhealthy products because they are on special offer, and one in five say supermarkets cause them to go off track when attempting to lose weight.

Aston spoke to Carolyn Pallister, public health manager and dietician and Anne Heughan, Royal Society for Public Heath representative about the new report and also gave advice on what to avoid when shopping in your local supermarket.