ACS

Data from the annual Health Survey for England has shown that few people understand the ¬government's guidelines on healthy eating, smoking and drinking despite the millions of pounds spent on awareness campaigns. The survey of data and attitudes in 2007, published by the NHS Information Centre revealed that:

o Two-thirds of men and women do not know the amount of exercise they should be taking per day.
o Only 27% of men and 31% of women eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
o Less than a third of respondents knew the maximum amount of alcohol they should drink a day

There was also no evidence that people are smoking less specifically as a result of the ban on smoking in public places introduced in July 2007.

The public health minister, Dawn ¬Primarolo, said that more campaigns to raise awareness were on the way. "In the New Year we will launch our ambitious Change4Life movement. Change4Life will help families to move more, eat well and live longer. Thanks to the Know Your Limits campaign more people now know how many units are in their drinks. “

To find out more about ACS’ involvement in the Change4Life programme please click here: http://www.acs.org.uk/en/Political_Work/healthy_eating/