Obesity
The most recent NDNS adult survey (published Dec 2004) shows that a quarter of
men (25%) and one fifth of women (20%) are currently obese. This is an 8% rise
for
men and a 12% rise for women since NDNS was last done in 2000/2001. The
recent
Foresight report suggests that if current obesity levels continue, by
2050
about
60% of
men,
50% of women and 25% of children in the UK will be
obese.
The
associated
chronic health problems are projected to cost society an
additional
£45.5
billion a year and reversing this trend will take several
decades.
Put simply – although on average we seem to be eating far less calories than we
were twenty years ago, we are getting heavier because we are also taking far
less
exercise. In addition some people do seem to be over eating.
Both diet and physical activity have a role to play in energy balance. For
example, in the past twenty years average calorie intake (adults' as well as
children's) has reduced significantly – by an estimated 10 per cent. (Source
NDNS
2000).
The recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) shows that only
slightly more than a third of men (35%)
and
a
quarter of women (26%) did
enough
physical activity to meet the current
DH
recommended level.
Industry Action
Industry continues to respond to society's concerns about the health of the
nation, particularly in relation to rising obesity levels, and we are
absolutely
committed to playing a positive role in this debate. In 2004 the industry set
seven
key commitments under the Food and Health manifesto on areas where it felt
it
could play a part in tackling obesity. Much progress has been made in
delivering on
these commitments, particularly in areas such as front-of-pack
nutrition
labelling
and product reformulation, where the UK is widely
acknowledged
to be
leading the
world.
For example, a new survey of FDF members confirms that the recipes used for at
least £15bn worth of foods have less fat, sugar and salt, compared with 2004.
In
addition, a further £11.5bn worth of products have been launched as 'lower in'
versions. These findings are supported by Mintel, an independent research
consultancy, which shows that of the 5,000 new products launched in the UK last
year
alone,
24% were marketed on a health proposition, such as 'low in fat'.
In addition FDF's easily recognisable GDA label scheme is now used by 65
companies and features on the front of approximately
20,000
product lines, making it the most consistent, well known and widely
available
front-of-pack labelling scheme in the UK.
FDF also published this summer its Workplace Wellbeing: The Food Industry
in
Action booklet (pdf, 1.2Mb), which features case studies outlining the schemes run by
several FDF
members, as well as the work FDF is doing itself to increase workplace
wellbeing.
Last reviewed: 21 Aug 2008