Healthy eating

This content is part of the Waltham Forest JSNA. To see other JSNA content, visit the JSNA landing page

Poor diet and obesity are leading causes of premature death and mortality [1] and are associated with a wide range of diseases including cardiovascular disease and some cancers. The costs of diet-related chronic diseases to the NHS and more broadly to society are considerable. Average intake of saturated fat, sugar, and salt are above recommended levels while average intake of fruit and vegetables, oily fish, fibre and some vitamins and minerals are below recommended levels [2].  

Evidence shows there are significant health benefits of getting at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. The ‘5 A Day’ campaign is based on advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends eating a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables a day to lower the risk of serious health problems. 

According to Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey in 2021 to 2022, around a third of respondents in Waltham Forest 30.5% reported that they had eaten five or more portions of fruit and vegetables on the previous day. This is broadly in line with the London 31.5% and England average 32.5%.

Source: OHID Public Health Outcomes Framework. Data from Active Lives Adult Survey (Sport England). Date accessed: 12 June 2023. 

References:

[1] Schmidt, J. C., & Newton, J. 2017. The Burden of Disease in England compared with 22 peer countries. Date accessed: 12 May 2023. 

[2] GOV.UK 2017. Healthy eating: applying All Our Health. Date accessed: 15 June 2023