Diet hurt by credit crunch

As if financial services in almost all sectors hadn’t taken enough of a battering from the credit crunch, economic hardship appears to be taking a toll on diet, fitness and health amongst many consumers.
The long-term consequences of the credit crunch could be serious, according to new research by the Blood Pressure Association and Friends Provident. The research was released to mark the start of blood pressure testing and awareness week.
The report, entitled Britain Under Pressure, found that just shy of 29 million people felt more stressed out, less fit and healthy, and more prone to illness than they did three years ago. Diet and exercise are also taking a plunge due to the credit crunch, with more buying cheaper food.
The head of protection at Friends Provident, Mark Jones, reportedly commented: “Our research found that 87 per cent of people consider their health to be important to them, but this isn’t reflected in how they live, with four out of five people of people not doing enough to look after their body and health. The credit crunch appears to be having serious ramifications. Lifestyle changes – poor diet and lack of exercise in particular – can have a negative effect on their blood pressure and consequently their long-term health.”