Resumen de Changes in consumption in Britain: Public attitudes and perceptions
Over half of British adults are now overweight or obese (NEPHO, 2005), with the situation having now being declared an epidemic within Britain. The costs of obesity upon the nation’s health and National Health Service (NHS) are massive with many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea and infertility (Scrimshaw & Dietz, 1995), being attributable to this condition which claims approximately 30,000 deaths per year in England alone (Davey, 2004). This paper explores the impact of changes in consumption habits on obesity focusing upon public perception, comprehension and behaviour. Surveys, website forum threads and a focus group were utilised to explore these issues with participants of different ages in the North East of England. The findings show that the British public are aware of changes in consumption habits with issues such as portion size, food availability, snacking, and food waste all being central to their accounts.
With obesity levels rising year on year the provision of services and public health messages which are rooted in public understandings and constructions of nutrition and obesity are urgently required.
