New report reveals toll of diet-related illness on UK productivity

Jamie Oliver, Henry Dimbleby and The Food Foundation call for changes to how we eat to play key role in saving NHS, as new report reveals toll of diet related illness in the UK  

As policymakers react to the Darzi Review, a new report from The Food Foundation using the Global Burden of Disease ⁽¹⁾ data shows the deaths and number of years lost to disability resulting from obesity and overweight and poor diets across the UK. Public health experts are now calling for changes to how we eat to play a key role in saving the NHS.

The report shows that:

• Obesity and overweight, is the leading risk factor for years living with disability in the UK, with the number of years having increased by a third (32%) in the last decade, and doubled since 1990 
• Over the course 2021, across the UK population an equivalent of 755,212 years of life were affected by disability due to obesity and overweight 
• Obesity and overweight was also responsible for nearly 40,000 deaths for adults aged 20+ in 2021, an increase of 13% in the last decade  
• Dietary risks, such as eating too little fruit, veg and fibre and eating too much processed meat, red meat and foods high in fat, sugar and salt add further to the number of years living with disability and deaths 
• While years lost to disability from tobacco are declining, since the turn of the century years lost from obesity and overweight outnumber those from smoking 
• Relatively small dietary shifts could lead to at least a 10% reduction in both deaths and years living with disability due to dietary risk factors  

The new report illustrates how serious the impact of poor diet on the nation’s health has become, with overweight and obesity, as well as dietary risks, driving a large amount of death and disability in the UK. This data comes amid concerns about pressures on the NHS and economic inactivity in the workforce. Recent figures from ONS estimate that as many as 2.8 million people aged 16-64 years are economically inactive because of long-term sickness. This is clearly not sustainable.

The new report includes modelling which shows the dietary changes that could reduce years living with disability and death if the government took steps towards building a food system where dietary shifts are made easier for citizens.

If on average everyone in the UK was to eat 30% more fruit and vegetables, 50% more fibre, 25% less high in fat sugar and salt foods and 30% less meat (as recommended but the National Food Strategy) this could have significant impact.

On an individual level this could be achieved through changes such as substituting about 30g of beef mince or a rasher of bacon with half can of kidney beans, eating an extra apple every day, whilst cutting out the equivalent of a third of a (large) can of Pringles.

The Food Foundation estimates that these changes could lead to at least a 10% reduction in both deaths and years living with disability due to dietary risk factors.

That’s 6,000 lives saved and the total number of years living with disability reduced by around 29,000 years, every year.

This reduction would have important implications for boosting our economy by reducing economic inactivity caused by poor health, while also reducing pressures on the NHS and supporting interventions to rebuild it. To make this a reality however, government leadership and commitment will be vital.

Jamie Oliver, chef and child health campaigner said: "Sadly it isn’t new news that poor diet and obesity are the leading risk factors for preventable – ie, entirely avoidable – diseases in the UK.

"But it is disappointing that this issue still isn't being prioritised, putting unnecessary strain on both the NHS and our workforce. It doesn’t have to be this way. The findings of the Darzi Review have shown that we need to prevent people getting ill in the first place to relieve pressure on the NHS, and diet is key to this.

"Across the world we’re seeing leaders take action, stopping the overwhelming bombardment of junk food advertising and making the healthy choice the easy one. And they’re reaping the rewards.

"Surely, it’s time our government stepped up and followed suit." 

Henry Dimbleby, the former government food tsar and author of the National Food Strategy, said: "The Darzi Review has shown the true extent of the crisis the NHS is facing.

"If we are to move from treating sickness to preventing it, it is essential that we change the way we eat. The link between poor diets, ill health, disability and even death is shockingly clear. This has to stop.

"Now is the opportunity for the government to introduce policies to ensure that everyone can access the foods needed to keep them healthy, and that the food industry is regulated to stem the relentless flow of junk food that has become a lethal cultural norm."

Anna Taylor, Executive Director at The Food Foundation, said: "In response to the Darzi Review, Wes Streeting says one of the three big shifts the NHS needs is from treating sickness to preventing it.

"This new data shows this must start with food. The new Government has an opportunity to reset our approach to food.

"There are 'no cost' steps which can be taken immediately to make healthy and sustainable food options more accessible and affordable for all, and in turn reduce the risk of preventable disease and disability.

"The government’s Health Mission should take these steps without delay."

NOTE TO EDITORS

⁽¹⁾  The Global Burden of Disease 2021 data is produced by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation https://www.healthdata.org/gbd/methods-appendices-2021/dietary-risks 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact: Juliet Grant on 07929075489 or email juliet.grant@foodfoundation.org.uk

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter/X: @Food_Foundation 
Instagram: food.foundation

The Food Foundation Podcast
For more in-depth analysis and lived experience listen to our podcast

ABOUT THE FOOD FOUNDATION
The Food Foundation is a charity working to influence food policy and business practice, shaping a sustainable food system which makes healthy diets affordable and accessible for all. We work in partnership with researchers, campaigners, community bodies, industry, investors, government and citizens to galvanise the UK’s diverse agents of change, using surprising and inventive ideas to drive fundamental shifts in our food system. These efforts are based on the continual re-evaluation of opportunities for action, building and synthesising strong evidence, convening powerful coalitions, harnessing citizens’ voices and delivering impactful communications.        
Registered Charity Number 1187611.