University of Suffolk research looks at how nutrition is hit by cost of living crisis
The Trussell Trust reports a 44% increase in food parcels being delivered in Suffolk
Last updated 5th Dec 2023
A researcher and lecturer from the University of Suffolk hopes her research will help change how people get nutritional and sustainable food, amid the cost of living crisis
It comes as the Trussell Trust reports a 44% increase in food parcels being delivered in Suffolk.
Emma Harvey Lawrence from the University of Suffolk told us her research is centred around looking at the factors that "impact us being able to eat healthily and sustainably.
"The meaning of healthy and sustainably ultimately, to ensure that we're eating adequately, neat transfer our bodily needs and to ensure longevity" saud said.
She wants us to be more mindful and aware over how our choices in food impact the planet, but says affodability is also a factor.
"It's certainly having an impact on the types of foods that we would have access to, that we can easily utilize and this will of course impact on whether those particular foods are sustainable or not."
Food insecurity
Emma says for many people the cost of living crisis has created a lack of "food security and this can have long-term effects on people both physiologically and mentally.
"If we're not able to meet our needs in terms of energy intake, in terms of the planets profile of nutrients that we require, that could long term have implications in terms of physical health issues such as weight loss and in terms of longevity."
She explained there is also a stress element which is "affectively a trauma" for people to experience if they are not able to meet their needs, a sense of fulfillment and sense of security.
Sustainability
Emma's research has led her to learn about the current Public Health, Eat Well Guidelines. Discovering if the population followed these we would "be standing to reduce our carbon emissions by 30%... and see a reduction in population levels of diet, associated diseases around 7% as well."
She acknowledges there are other factors which contribute to the public's ability to be able to follow these guidelines such as "cultural, social and environmental issues" but believes having these "support our ability to become more sustainable and to support human health".
"I think we need to be more holistic and more empathetic to people's lives and communities and learn from one another and do to be able to make that communication happen."
Emma is requesting more people to take part in her survey so she can move her research forward and present her findings to inspire change.