A report has uncovered some alarming findings about the state of nutrition in South Africa – we not moving enough and not drinking enough water.

The annual report, The State of Nutrition in South Africa 2021, was released earlier this week and found that parents are also sceptical about their children’s understanding of what foods are healthy.

The report, conducted by the Tiger Brands’ Eat Well Live Well Institute, looked at South Africans dietary choices, eating behaviours and lifestyles. It assessed how we eat, when we eat, our exercise routines, and how these are guided by food nutrition labels, gaps in nutrition knowledge and food security.

The survey was conducted online and used respondents that fell under the living standard measure (LSM) and were over 18 years old.

Key findings in the state of nutrition in SA

Sceptisim over kids understanding of unhealthy and healthy food

Two out of five (38%) parents believed their children can’t differentiate between unhealthy and healthy foods. The report found that children’s eating habit is mostly influenced by their parents, teachers and friends.

Thirty-two percent of parents said their spending habit on healthy food is influenced by their kids and only 16% said their child has a significant influence on purchasing unhealthy foods. 

The report has focused on children nutrition. They believe it will have a lasting effect on children if they are taught earlier about nutrition, health and wellness.