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Poverty and food insecurity could be fuelling obesity levels in Jersey, a food charity has said, after new stats showed how more than half of adults in Jersey are classified as overweight or obese.
Caring Cooks CEO Yvonne Corbin described poverty, food insecurity, and obesity as being "closely interconnected in a troubling cycle”.
Her comments followed the publication of a new Public Health report last week, which revealed that more than half (54%) of adults were overweight or obese – a rise from 2022 (50%).
Pictured: The breakdown of weight classification for different age groups. (Public Health)
Those who "self-reported" 'bad' or 'very bad' health were most likely to fall into the obese category.
The report explained that the different weight classifications can be sourced by calculating an individual's Body Mass Index (BMI), which is their weight in kilograms divided by their squared height in metres.
However, rather than pointing the finger of blame towards individuals, Ms Corbin emphasised the impact of economic hardship on food choices and instead called for nutritional education and accessible healthy meals for families.
She explained that those struggling financially were more likely to turn to cheaper, energy-dense processed foods high in fats and sugars that can cause weight gain.
She said: "The interplay of limited financial resources, expensive food options, and time constraints from multiple job commitments means that low-income families may often depend on low-cost, energy-dense, processed foods.
"These foods are usually readily available, have a longer shelf life, and require less time and effort to prepare, which is a crucial consideration for busy families.
"However, these foods also contribute to an increased risk of obesity due to their high caloric content and low nutritional value.
"As food costs climb, healthier options such as fresh fruits and vegetables become more of a luxury, and families are forced to stretch their budget.
"For children, this means that diets are increasingly composed of foods that can lead to excessive calorie intake without providing essential nutrients, setting the stage for weight gain and associated health issues."
Pictured: Yvonne Corbin is the CEO of local food charity Caring Cooks.
This is something that Caring Cooks is trying to address by "levelling the nutritional playing field" — encouraging islanders to eat healthily, while tackling food poverty and supporting vulnerable families.
The charity has pushed forward a scheme over the last four years that provides affordable meals for all students and free food to pupils from households receiving income support in ten of the island's primary schools.
This service is provided by Flourish — a social enterprise that manages government contracts for hot-meal catering in schools — which is overseen by Caring Cooks.
Earlier this month, the new Government outlined plans to provide nutritious schools meals for all primary school children by 2024 in its Common Strategic Policy document, which identified the areas in which Ministers want to make progress ahead of the island's next general election.
"The Jersey Children and Young People's Survey data shows that only 30% of children report eating the recommended levels of fruit and vegetables," the document said.
"There is a clear role for the Government to support children's healthy growth throughout crucial stages of their development," it continued.
"We will provide a nutritious school meal for every child in all States primary schools by December 2024, building on the pilot programme already underway in ten schools across the island."
Pictured: Jersey's government wants to improve healthy eating among children by providing "nutritious" school meals for States primary schoolchildren.
"Meeting this priority will have measurable benefits for children, reducing inequalities and improving healthy eating, as well as helping to reduce cost of living pressures for families."
But, for Caring Cooks, directly providing nutritious meals is only part of the solution – the other is empowering islanders to eat healthily themselves by teaching children about nutrition and providing them with the cooking skills necessary to prepare "wholesome" meals.
"We recognise that knowledge is just as important as the food itself," she said.
"This early education is crucial as it lays the foundation for lifelong healthy habits."
Pictured: The team working on the Flourish school meals programme.
"Moreover, we actively encourage children to take these skills home, involving their parents in the learning process.
"This not only reinforces the practice of healthy eating but also creates an environment where families can bond over the preparation of nutritious meals together.
"Through this approach, we aim to create a ripple effect of health awareness that extends from the classroom to the home, contributing to the fight against obesity in our community.
"Proper nutrition and food knowledge should be a right, not a privilege, for every child."
She explained that the charity, which celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year, has also launched its 'Let's Get Cooking' and 'Healthier Habits' programmes.
"By equipping children and their families with both the knowledge of nutrition and practical cooking skills, we're working to break this cycle and ensure that time constraints and financial pressures do not lead to compromised food choices and health outcomes."
"I think there's a huge gap in food education in Jersey - which needs to be high on the government priorities list."
Ms Corbin says her dream is for the charity to set up a centralised "educational hub" to allow Caring Cooks to expand their programmes and support various community groups, by offering kitchen facilities.
Express spoke with Yvonne Corbin earlier this year about her charity's journey over the last decade as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
The Caring Cooks CEO outlined the widespread issue of food insecurity, and how families are turning to cheaper and processed foods amid what she describes as a "cost of living emergency".
Listen to the interview below or search 'Bailiwick Podcasts' on your favourite podcast provider...
FOCUS: What are the key priorities for the new government?
DIGEST(ing too much?): One in two Jersey adults overweight or obese
LISTEN: "We’ve never had this much demand for food services"
In-demand food charity seeks "hub" to expand support
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