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Wales: Young adults hooked on takeaways
3 Jun
Summary
- Over 25% of young adults in Wales eat takeaway twice weekly.
- Takeaways are seen as convenient but unhealthy.
- Delivery apps and workplace culture increase consumption.
In Wales, a concerning trend shows over a quarter of young adults, aged 16 to 29, are eating takeaway meals at least twice every week. This finding, from the Public Health Wales 'Time to Talk' study, identified this demographic as the unhealthiest, with diets high in foods linked to obesity.
Public Health Wales expert Dr. Catherine Sharp noted the ease and convenience of ordering food via phone apps, often enticed by deals and discounts from delivery companies. A food historian also pointed to evolving workplace cultures as a contributing factor.
Overall, 18% of 30 to 49-year-olds reported having two or more takeaways weekly, a figure significantly lower than the younger age group. Older demographics consumed takeaways even less frequently. This suggests unhealthy food environments may be a key driver of poorer diets.
Dr. Sharp emphasized understanding the root causes of these behaviors, including easy access through phone ordering and the impact of portion sizes. Educating young adults on healthy portion sizes is crucial, as they may not yet grasp the long-term health consequences of their current dietary choices.
