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Page last updated: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:11:32 GMT
Diet and Nutrition
Good nutrition is essential for optimal health and wellbeing. A varied diet which is high in fruit, vegetables and starchy carbohydrates (preferably with a low glycaemic index), and low in
fat and salt,1 decreases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. A healthy diet, along with physical activity, can also
help to prevent or reduce overweight and obesity.2
Although there has been an increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables in England since 2001, most people eat less than the recommended daily serving of five
or more portions. 3
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Diet and nutrition in London: key facts
- Just over a third of adults (16 years and over) in London eat the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables each day. In 2008, the Health Survey for England (HSfE) found that 34% of men and 36% of women in London consumed five or more portions per day.4 London has the highest proportion of adults meeting government recommendations than any other region of England.4
- London’s intake of fruit and vegetables, which is higher than the England average, masks inequalities among ethnic groups. Fruit and vegetable consumption is significantly higher than the London average among the Asian/Asian British and Chinese/Other ethnic groups, but lower among the other ethnic groups.5
- There is significant variation in the consumption of fruit and vegetables between London’s primary care trusts (PCTs). The London Boost Survey revealed that Camden PCT had the highest percentage (61%) of adults who ate five or more portions per day, while Bexley had the lowest (38%).5 Due to differences in methodologies, these figures are not directly comparable to HSfE results.
- The proportion of Londoners consuming more than the recommended fat intake increased markedly between 2003 and 2006 (from 5% to 13% among men, and from 3% to 7% among women). These findings are similar to England overall.6,7
- Three quarters of London’s children do not reach the recommended target for fruit and vegetable intake. In 2008, only 23% of boys and 24% of girls (aged 5-15) in London reported eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.4 Nationally, 19% of boys and 20% of girls reported eating at least five portions per day in 2008.4
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Choosing a better diet: a food and health action plan
sets out the Government's strategy to encourage and co-ordinate action at national, regional and local level to improve nutrition and health in England and reduce health inequalities.
Priorities include increasing the average consumption of a variety of fruit and vegetables and reducing the average total intake of fat to meet dietary recommendations.
National initiatives to improve nutrition and dietary behaviour in the community include Change4Life, 5 a day and Healthy start.
School-based initiatives, such as the Healthy schools programme and the School fruit and vegetable scheme aim to promote a whole school approach, educate children and provide them with healthy food options, establishing healthy eating habits early in life.
The School Food Trust 8 has also developed mandatory school food standards which cover food sold or served in all local authority maintained schools, including: breakfast, lunch and after-school meals; and tuck vending, mid-morning break and after-school clubs.
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