Improving Diet And Lifestyle
When asked spontaneously, almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in Great Britain say they have personally undertaken some type of change to their family's eating habits or activity levels in the past year, in order to lead a healthier lifestyle. The research conducted by Ipsos for the National Consumer Council shows that five per cent claim to have made at least four changes. Women are generally more likely to have made changes than men (66%, compared with 61%).
Eating more fruit and vegetables is the most common method of improving diet and lifestyle, with 30% of adults giving this as an answer. This is particularly high amongst those with children in the household under 15, with the figure rising to 38%. Other top mentions include 'Increased physical activity/taken more exercise' (20%), and cutting down on fat or switching to reduced fat products (13%).
Having healthier school meals are seen as one of the most important ways of encouraging people to eat more healthily, with 58% of those asked selecting this, rising to 64% among households with children. Food manufacturers could help as well, with 48% suggesting that a reduction in the amount of fat, salt, and sugar in processed foods would encourage people, while 43% say that labels clearly stating whether a product is high in calories, fat, salt and sugar would be helpful.
Technical details
MORI Interviewed a nationally representative quota sample of 2,056 adults aged 15+ between 6-10 October 2005 in 197 sample points, using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI). Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in respondent's homes. All data have been weighted to the known profile of the population.
