National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows unhealthy eating habits in UK

The UK population is putting its collective health at risk with bad dietary habits, according to a new government survey.

Published by Public Health England, the National Diet and Nutrition Survey assessed the food consumption and nutrient intake of people across the UK between 2008 and 2012, finding that people are still consuming too much saturated fat, added sugars and salt.

Generally, Britons are exceeding the recommended intake of all of these unhealthy food groups, while failing to eat enough fruits, vegetables, oily fish and fibre.

The survey findings have prompted the organisation to recommend changing dietary habits and more active lifestyles in order to reduce the risk of people developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes or cancer.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "It is clear that we all need to work together to help people improve their diets; this data will help Public Health England to target its work in the most effective way."

This comes after a recent study from the British Heart Foundation revealed that many people in the UK are struggling to eat healthily as a result of financial difficulties.