Brits eating less healthy food, says debt charity

One in three Brits are eating less healthily as a result of the economic downturn, new research has suggested.

Christians Against Poverty, a charity that offers debt advice, commissioned YouGov to carry out a study into how the credit crunch is affecting people’s finances.

It found that 32 per cent are turning to cheaper processed food – a statistic that the group said is worrying considering the country’s growing obesity crisis.

Over half (53 per cent) of the population feel their finances are in a worse state than a year ago and nearly half of 35 to 44-year-olds confess their diet has suffered as a result.

Spokesman Matt Barlow described the results as “truly shocking”.

However, he said: “With the right support, guidance and sound financial principles, people can avoid the worst excesses of this economic downturn and work their way out of debt.”

Recently, a survey by Age Concern showed that 52 per cent of pensioners are buying less or poorer quality food.

By Jamie Price