Why People Struggle with Proper Nutrition: Identifying the Key Barriers
“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” Ann Wigmore
We all know that our food habits significantly impact our health, well-being and quality of life. Most of us are also aware of the basic principles of healthy eating – more fruits, vegetables, beans and less fast food. Yet, despite this knowledge, millions of people still struggle with access to nutritious meals, suffer from obesity, or face health issues due to poor food choices and unhealthy diets.
So, why is it so difficult to maintain proper nutrition?
In this article, we explore the key barriers that prevent individuals from achieving proper nutrition and the challenges they face in making healthier food choices.
Awareness Isn’t Enough: Key Barriers to Proper Nutrition
A healthy, balanced diet is crucial for both mental and physical well-being, helping individuals feel better and stay healthy in the long term. Beyond personal benefits, making healthy food choices also helps reduce food waste and has positive environmental impacts. Despite this awareness, several barriers prevent individuals from achieving proper nutrition:
- Misleading information on the internet
- Lack of access to nutritious food
- Time and convenience
- Financial constraints
Below, we’ll explore them in more detail.
Misleading Information on the Internet
Food and nutrition illiteracy is a growing problem in many countries worldwide. In today’s fast-paced digital world, where information is always at our fingertips, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Nutrition is one of the most popular topics on social media, and it opens the door for everyone, from influencers to fitness enthusiasts, to share their opinions. Unfortunately, this leads to oversimplifications, half-truths, and misleading claims, often based on misinterpreted research or personal anecdotes. A Guardian article revealed that nearly one in five Gen Zers trust TikTok more than their healthcare provider when it comes to health advice. This is especially concerning for teenagers and young adults, who are still developing lifelong eating habits.
Lack of Access to Nutritious Food
For many people, healthy eating isn’t a matter of personal choice but a matter of access. Unfortunately, some global events in the last few years, including geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and extreme weather, have disrupted the supply chain, caused food prices to soar and limited the viability of essential agricultural inputs. This has made nutritious food harder to access, even in high-income countries.
According to the European Commission report “Food 2030 Pathways for Action – Research and Innovation Policy as a Driver for Sustainable, Healthy and Inclusive Food Systems,” approximately 800 million people globally suffer from hunger, undernutrition, or malnutrition. Within Europe, one in four individuals is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and 9.1% of the EU population cannot afford a quality meal every other day. Among households at risk of poverty, that number was even higher at 1 in 5. This shows how a lack of access to nutritious food is one of the main factors leading to poor diets, creating a cycle of chronic health issues that is hard to break. The solution for this problem goes beyond individual effort and requires systemic change, improved food polices and more equitable distribution of nutritious food.
Time and Convenience
The study “Barriers to Adherence to a Healthy Diet and Recommended Physical Activity Perceived by the Polish Population” highlights that a lack of time and motivation are among the most frequently reported obstacles to healthy eating.
When pressed for time, people are more likely to turn to convenient food options, such as takeaway, pre-packaged meals, or processed foods, even though these choices are often high in calories, low in nutrients, and less healthy overall. Unfortunately, in these busy circumstances, it can seem more affordable to grab something quick, even if it is not the best for long-term health.
Financial Constraints
Nutritious foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains often come at a higher price compared to processed and fast food options. The UK-based study “Barriers and facilitators to healthy eating in disadvantaged adults living in the UK: a scoping review” found that individuals in the deprived segment of the population consume significantly less healthy food compared to those in the most advantaged group, specifically, 37% fewer fruits and vegetables, 54% less fish, and 17% less dietary fibre. As a result, people with limited budgets often struggle to prioritise healthier foods, turning instead to cheaper and nutrient-poor alternatives. This disparity highlights the financial barriers that prevent many individuals from making healthier food choices, leading to poor nutrition and increased risk of long-term health issues.
The Consequences of Poor Nutrition
Unhealthy diets in the EU contribute to around 950,000 deaths each year, as poor nutrition is a major risk factor for a range of chronic diseases. For instance, obesity is directly linked to unhealthy eating habits, significantly increasing the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. In Europe, around 2 billion people remain overweight or obese. Beyond physical health, inadequate nutrition also affects mental well-being, contributing to issues such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue. This is particularly concerning for children and adolescents, as poor nutrition during critical developmental stages can result in stunted growth, cognitive delays, and a weakened immune system.
Poor nutrition also has significant consequences for the environment. Unhealthy eating habits often lead to food waste, with uneaten processed and perishable foods ending up in landfills, where they potent greenhouse gases. A report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) highlighted that in 2022, the EU generated an average of 132 kilograms of food waste per person, contributing to over 59 million tonnes of waste. By making healthier food choices, individuals can not only enhance their health but also play a vital role in reducing environmental harm and fostering a more sustainable global food system.
The WiseFood Project: How Technology Can Help
The WiseFood project seeks to address these challenges by offering a holistic approach that democratises access to reliable data and provides actionable recommendations that inspire behaviour changes. This project, funded by the European Union, aims to promote healthier dietary habits and reduce ecological footprints through three user-friendly and AI-powered applications which will be co-developed and tested by citizens via the WiseFood Living Labs. WiseFood will develop digital applications designed for knowledge extraction, optimisation of recipes for both nutritional value and environmental impact, as well as personalised meal plans and recipe suggestions that reduce food waste and offer healthier and more sustainable alternatives.
Conclusion
Addressing these barriers requires not only personal commitment but also systemic changes in food policy, education, and accessibility to ensure everyone has the opportunity to make healthier choices.
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