Canderel

Citation

(2005), "Canderel", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 35 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2005.01735cab.029

Canderel

Canderel

Canderel is launching a nationwide report (independently carried out by YouGov) on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle – it examines consumers' attitudes to a range of issues from views on diet and exercise to what are the key issues when buying food products – do consumers look at nutritional information or just opt for the cheapest product without reading nutritional details. The views of 2,229 consumers across the country were sought for the report.

The results are rather alarming – three quarters do less than the recommended amount of weekly exercise (government recommendations), 68 per cent have never sought advice about their diet and 60 per cent admit to being overweight. In addition to this the British rate themselves as amongst the unhealthiest in Europe and at a similar level of health consciousness as Americans. These findings are rather alarming given the fact that the National Audit Office estimates the cost of obesity to the wider economy is £2 billion. In addition to this over 30 per cent of consumers admit to not reading food labels when making a purchase.

A new report issued today by Canderel highlights how consumers across the country are failing to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with a majority also anticipating that this is unlikely to change in the future. According to the report, 75 per cent of the population does less than the recommended amount of weekly exercise, with an overwhelming 68 per cent admitting that they have never sought advice about their diet.

Consumers across the country freely admit that their failure to live a healthy lifestyle means that they rank amongst the unhealthiest of nations. They rate the Dutch, French, Italians, Spanish and Germans as being healthier and rank themselves at a similar level of health consciousness as Americans. This is despite the fact that the National Audit Office estimates the cost of obesity and related diseases to the NHS is at least £500 million a year, and £2 billion to the wider economy. Twenty two per cent of Britons are obese and the number of obese children has tripled in 20 years.

Consumers are also failing to acknowledge the importance of nutritional information when purchasing food products, with over 30 per cent admitting to not reading food labels when making a purchase.

The most important issues when buying food products:

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  Almost 1 in 3 do not read food labels when making a purchase;

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  40 per cent believe price is the most important thing when buying an unfamiliar food product;

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  28 per cent would buy an unfamiliar food product to obtain a money off coupon or introductory offer;

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  Only 3 per cent would buy a new product due to a celebrity endorsement.

Independent research house YouGov surveyed over 2,229 consumers nationwide. For a copy of the full report please contact Tim Court on 020 7861 3137 or email tcourt@goodrelations.co.uk