In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to maintain a certain body image is higher than ever. Unfortunately, this pressure is driving many individuals to adopt quick-fix weight loss methods that can ultimately harm their health and nutritional intake.
To better understand the health of the UK, we commissioned a third party to conduct some research which has revealed some concerning trends.
The Rise of Quick-Fix Weight Loss Methods
Our data highlights a disturbing trend: a significant number of Brits are turning to drastic measures to lose weight, compromising their nutrition in the process. Over 40% of the population feel pressured to lose weight, with 21% attempting crash diets, 13% using weight loss supplements, and 6% opting for weight loss injections.
Younger generations are particularly vulnerable too according to the data. Among 18-24-year-olds, 58% feel intense pressure to slim down, leading to unhealthy practices like crash dieting (31%) and the use of weight loss injections (20%). The results suggested that 49% of women feel the pressure more acutely, with those living in Northern Ireland and Wales reporting the highest levels of weight loss pressure at 54% and 51%, respectively.
These quick fixes to lose weight may offer temporary results but can often result in nutritional deficiencies.
The Consequences of Poor Nutrition
A 2021 study [v] highlighted that rapid weight loss can lead to metabolic syndrome, including conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Many individuals are not fully aware of the serious health consequences of prioritising weight loss over nutrition, and more must be done to educate individuals about these risks. Poor nutrition not only affects overall health but also exacerbates other health conditions, which can lead to increased healthcare costs and longer hospital stays.
Our research also found that many individuals prioritise convenience and cost over nutritional value, with 53% of Brits choosing their food based on these factors. This trend is particularly concerning among the 35-44 age group, where only 28% consider nutritional value when choosing what to eat.
Promoting Balanced Health Practices
Our CEO and Founder Melissa Snover is passionate about health and nutrition and is shocked by the findings of our research. She reflects: “At Nourished, we believe in promoting balanced, sustainable health practices which are unique to the individual’s needs, over quick fixes. Yet usage of weight loss supplements and more recently injections are on the rise and even though it’s been proven that fad diets don’t work research has revealed that two-thirds of Brits are consistently on a diet.”
The Slimming Support Stack
In response to this data, we have launched the Slimming Support Stack, a specially curated formulation of ingredients designed to help tackle common deficiencies that can arise during a weight loss journey. The Slimming Support Stack includes Ovoderm Collagen, which studies show can improve skin [i] and joint health [ii], CoQ10 to help aid energy levels [iii], and Vitamin D to help strengthen immune support [iv].
Additional Findings from Our Research
Our research also reveals that over half (57%) of Brits have noticed a decline in their diet and nutrition over the past decade, with the problem being particularly acute among young adults. Among 18-24-year-olds, 69% report poor diet and nutrition, followed by 57% of 25-34-year-olds and 56% of 35-44-year-olds.
Regional disparities are also stark. In Scotland, 64% of people report a significant shift in diet due to rising food costs, followed by 63% in the North East and West Midlands. Portsmouth residents are struggling the most, with 82% noticing a decline in diet quality, followed by 72% in Glasgow, and 71% in Coventry, Liverpool, Norwich, and Worcester.
Additionally, almost half (45%) of those surveyed admitted to rarely or never considering the nutritional value of the food they eat. Over half (53%) are prioritising convenience and cost over nutritional value, with 27% citing speed and ease of preparation as the key factor driving their food choices. Rising food costs are a significant concern, especially for young adults, with 40% of 18-24-year-olds identifying price as the main factor in their food choices.
Conclusion
As the trend of quick-fix weight loss methods continues to rise, it is vital to ensure that nutritional health does not fall by the wayside. In the wake of these trends and results, our Slimming Support Stack is designed to bridge the gap, providing essential nutrients to support overall health during weight management journeys. By prioritising balanced, personalised nutrition, we can help to combat the detrimental effects of poor dietary practices and help to foster a healthier future for all.
To understand more about the importance of nutrition on your overall health, and what nutrients are best suited to your specific lifestyle and goals, then please visit our Nourished quiz For more information on the Slimming Support Stack and other personalised nutrition solutions, visit the link here.
Key Statistics from Our Research:
- 57% of Brits have seen an increase in poor diet/poor nutrition in the past decade.
- 18-24-year-olds are the hardest hit, with 69% admitting poor nutrition and poor diet, followed by 57% of 25-34-year-olds and 56% of 35-44-year-olds.
- People in Scotland are hardest hit by rising food costs, with 64% admitting a shift in diet and nutrition, followed by the North East and West Midlands both at 63%.
- People in Northern Ireland noticed the least change, at 39%.
- Per city, those living in Portsmouth are struggling the most, with 82%, followed by Glasgow at 72%, and Coventry, Liverpool, Norwich, and Worcester all equally sitting at 71%.
- 40% of Brits admit to feeling pressure to lose weight.
- 40% admitted to using quick-fix ways to lose weight, with 21% trying a crash diet, 13% using weight loss supplements, and 6% opting for weight loss injections.
- Younger generations are most likely to feel under pressure to lose weight, with 58% of 18-24-year-olds, followed by 54% of 35-44-year-olds and 52% of 25-34-year-olds.
- Women feel more pressure than men, with almost half (49%) admitting to feeling under pressure.
- People in Northern Ireland feel pressure the most (54%), followed by Wales (51%). Per capita, people living in Aberystwyth feel the most pressure at 80%, followed by Swansea at 57% and Portsmouth at 55%.
- 18-24-year-olds are most likely to try using exercise as a form of weight loss, with 3 in 4 opting for exercise to lose weight.
- 60% of 35-44-year-olds are most likely to try to eat a healthier diet to lose weight.
- 11% of Brits admit they rarely or never consider the nutritional value of their daily diet.
- 35-44-year-olds are most likely to try crash dieting to lose weight, with 31% admitting to trying this as a quick-fix way to lose weight.
- 25-34-year-olds are most likely to try weight loss supplements, with over a quarter (27%) trying this method.
- One in four (20%) of 18-24-year-olds admitted to using weight loss injections. Men are more likely to try weight loss injections, with almost one in 10 (9%) opting for this solution as a way to lose weight.
- Almost 3 in 4 Londoners (73%) have tried quick-fix methods to lose weight, including 32% on crash diets, 24% weight loss supplements, and 17% weight loss injections.
- People in Northern Ireland are most likely to opt for weight loss injections, with one in three (36%) admitting to trying this solution.
- Despite poor nutrition and diet, a quarter (25%) of the UK admitted to never taking a vitamin supplement, with over half (57%) currently not taking any vitamin supplements at all.
- 45-54-year-olds are most likely to supplement their diets with vitamins, with over half admitting to taking a daily supplement (51%) compared to a quarter of 18-24-year-olds (26%). Women are more likely than men to supplement their diets at 48%.
- [i] https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hllzknxzlogr45tjj3021/06_Aguirre-etal_J-Dietary-Suppl_2017_OVODERM.pdf?rlkey=kpm080wrvvvpk1715ycm6chof&e=1&dl=0
- [ii] https://www.dropbox.com/login?cont=%2Fwork%2FMagic%2520Candy%2520Factory%2520Team%2520Folder%2FNOURISH3D%2FQC%2FRM%2520Documents%2FNourished%2FActives%2FOvoderm%2520Eggnovo%2FAdditional%2520Documents%2FResearch%2FOvomet%3Fpreview%3D04_Aguirre%2Betal_JOsteoporosis%2526physical%2Bactivity_2017_OVOMET.pdf
- [iii] https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/fulltext/2010/01000/The_Effects_Of_Coenzyme_Q10_Supplementation_on.14.aspx
- [iv] https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1468
- [v] https://www.jnmhs.com/article-details/13808
