section 3 attitude towards health diet

Slide1 : National Food Survey Island of Ireland Report A Presentation Commissioned Jointly By: An Bord Bia Intertrade Ireland FSIP/Invest NI October 2005 By BE/NH S5-063


Slide2 : SECTION 3: Attitude towards Diet and Wellbeing


Attitude towards Diet and Wellbeing – Summary I : Attitude towards Diet and Wellbeing – Summary I ROI residents most convinced about the importance of diet and wellbeing. NI closer to British attitudes. ROI and NI residents much more optimistic about their health – irrespective of their diet versus Britain. In general NI more likely to sit on the fence regarding health/diet. Again, higher incidence of NI consumers giving no opinion (neither agree nor disagree) to all health/wellbeing statements. ROI and Britain more convinced of benefit of healthy eating on their wellbeing. Almost 1 in 4 consider themselves very healthy in NI & ROI, compared to only 1 in 7 in Britain – higher proportion of NI residents unsure. Possible fallout from high publicity surrounding health and obesity in Britain recently. More females and those in the 35-44 age cohort describe their diet as healthy in NI – 1 in 10 of the younger age cohort admit to a fairly unhealthy diet. NI females in particular, claim to be eating more healthily nowadays.


Attitude towards Diet and Wellbeing – Summary II : Demand for healthier food and ‘low fat’ options clearly evident although less prevalent than in ROI. Growing awareness of fat/calorie content of food in ROI and NI, Britain lagging behind. NI residents less likely to try to buy foods that are natural or to limit fast food consumption but they are, paradoxically, more likely to eat 5+ portions of fruit and veg per day. Broadscale support for the impact of diet on lifestyle and mental health. NI residents much more likely to claim diet is mainly vegetarian versus ROI particularly. Poor understanding of food labelling and nutritional claims. 4 in 10 interested in Fair Trade products – same proportion put off due to higher price of same. 1 in 3 NI adults eat 1-2 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. However, 2 in 3 believe they should eat 5-6 per day. Attitude towards Diet and Wellbeing – Summary II


Attitude Towards Diet and Wellbeing I : Attitude Towards Diet and Wellbeing I (Base: All adults 15+) (Q.3) Strongly (1) Slightly (2) Slightly (4) Strongly (5) Disagree Agree Diet – I IOI NI ROI Britain ROI residents most convinced about the importance of diet and wellbeing. NI closer to British attitudes.


Attitude Towards Diet and Wellbeing II : Attitude Towards Diet and Wellbeing II Strongly (1) Slightly (2) Slightly (4) Strongly (5) Disagree Agree (Base: All adults 15+) Diet - II (Q.3) IOI NI ROI Britain ROI and NI residents much more optimistic about their health – irrespective of their diet versus Britain. In general NI more likely to sit on the fence regarding health/diet.


Attitude Towards Diet and Wellbeing III : Attitude Towards Diet and Wellbeing III (Base: All adults 15+) (Q.3) Strongly (1) Slightly (2) Slightly (4) Strongly (5) Disagree Agree Wellbeing IOI NI ROI Britain Again, higher incidence of NI consumers giving no opinion (neither agree nor disagree) to all health/wellbeing statements. ROI and Britain more convinced of benefit of healthy eating and wellbeing.


Overall Descriptors of Diet – Summary : Overall Descriptors of Diet – Summary (Q.49a) (Base: All adults 15+) Mean - Very Healthy (5) Fairly Healthy (4) Not Sure (3) Fairly Unhealthy (2) Very Unhealthy (1) Don’t Know 4.0 4.0 My Diet is … - 3.9 3.9 Almost 1 in 4 consider themselves very healthy in NI, ROI, compared to only 1 in 7 in Britain – higher proportion of NI residents unsure.


Overall Descriptors of Diet – IOI : TOTAL SEX AGE Overall Descriptors of Diet – IOI Mean 4.0 3.9 4.0 3.7 3.9 4.0 4.1 (Q.49a) * (Base: All adults 15+) * - - * Older age cohorts perceive their diet to be more healthy. * * *


Overall Descriptors of Diet – NI : TOTAL SEX AGE Overall Descriptors of Diet – NI Mean 3.9 3.7 4.0 3.8 3.8 4.0 3.9 (Q.49a) * (Base: All adults 15+) - - - - More females and 35-44 age cohort describe their diet as healthy in NI – 1 in 10 of the younger age cohort admit to a fairly unhealthy diet.


Change in Eating Habits in Last Year x Demographics – IOI : Change in Eating Habits in Last Year x Demographics – IOI More healthy (Q.49b) Less healthy (Base: All adults 15+) Total Sex Age Main Shopper 1 in 4 claim to have changed their eating habits in the last 12 months – gradually rise with age.


Change in Eating Habits in Last Year x Demographics – NI : Change in Eating Habits in Last Year x Demographics – NI More healthy (Q.49b) Less healthy (Base: All adults 15+) Total Sex Age Main Shopper Females, and all age cohorts, claim to be eating more healthily nowadays.


Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – I : Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – I (Base: All Adults 15+) Applies A Lot Applies At All IOI NI (Q.52) Demand for healthier food and ‘low fat’ options clearly evident.


Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – II : Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – II (Base: All Adults 15+) Applies A Lot Applies At All IOI NI (Q.52) Growing awareness of fat/calorie content of food.


Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – III : Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – III (Base: All Adults 15+) Applies A Lot Applies At All IOI NI (Q.52) NI residents less likely to try to buy foods that are natural or to limit fast food consumption but they are, paradoxically, more likely to eat 5+ per day of fruit and veg.


Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – IV : Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – IV (Base: All Adults 15+) Applies A Lot Applies At All IOI NI (Q.52) Broadscale support for the impact of diet on lifestyle and mental health. NI residents much more likely to claim diet is mainly vegetarian versus ROI particularly.


Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – V : Attitude Towards Health and Nutrition – V (Base: All Adults 15+) Applies A Lot Applies At All IOI NI (Q.52) Poor understanding of food labelling and nutritional claims. 4 in 10 interested in Fair Trade products – same proportion put off due to higher price of same.


Items Eaten More if Trying to Be More Healthy : Items Eaten More if Trying to Be More Healthy Fresh vegetables, salads Fresh fruit Fish Products that claim to lower cholesterol/blood pressure Products enriched with vitamins and minerals Food or drinks containing sugar Food containing fats Salt in your food More of: Less of:


Items Eaten More/Less if Trying to be More Healthy - IOI : Items Eaten More/Less if Trying to be More Healthy - IOI % Eat less of % Eat more of (Q.49c) (Base: All adults 15+) * All others 5% or less


Items Eaten More/Less if Trying to be More Healthy - NI : Items Eaten More/Less if Trying to be More Healthy - NI % Eat less of % Eat more of (Q.49c) (Base: All adults 15+) * All others 5% or less Disparate views of eating more/less meat, milk-dairy products, bread, etc. if trying to be more healthy.


Portions of Fruit & Vegetables Should/Do Eat Every Day : Portions of Fruit & Vegetables Should/Do Eat Every Day 1-2 9+ 5-6 7-8 (Q.50a/b) 3-4 (Base: All adults 15+) None * - - IDEAL REALITY 1 in 3 NI adults eat 1-2 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. However, 2 in 3 believe they should eat 5-6 per day. Average: 4 4 4 5 3 3 3 3