Public Attitudes To Diet And Health Research

A new report, published by MORI on behalf of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) shows a broad awareness of the different types and applications of research into diet and health. However, there appears to be low awareness of how science works or how scientific excellence should be judged in practice.

The project reveals little recognition of the role of research in the UK economy and the potential economic and institutional benefits of research into diet and health, and distrust of collaboration between UK universities and the food industry.

The following areas of research are seen as most worthwhile for funding:

• Prevention/Protection against illness/disease;
• Tackling obesity;
• Nutritional quality of food.

The least important research areas are:

• Improving the taste and colour of food;
• Appearance of food, including texture.

Two factors emerge strongly as the most important for deciding which research projects should be funded:

• prevention of future health problems;
• public benefit/improvements for quality of life, particularly the treatment of life-threatening or life-limiting conditions such as cancer.

Health education and health promotion are also felt to be a valuable outcome of research.

Download the full report here [pdf, 5MB]