The research highlighted 26% of young adults ate a takeaway on two or more days in the last week, compared to 18% of 30 to 49 year olds, 8% of 50 to 69 year olds, and 2% of those aged 70 years and over. These meal types are often convenient and accessible, but can be higher in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS).
Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) said they serve themselves a large portion while over half (53%) said they rarely leave food on their plate, even when they feel full. Among young adults who eat lunch away from home, 77% buy it on the go – the highest of any age group to do this.
Dr Ilona Johnson, consultant in Public Health for Public Health Wales, said: “Overweight and obesity affect over 60% of adults in Wales and young adulthood is when people are most likely to gain weight. What we eat and how much we eat affects our weight.
“This work has found that young adults and those living in more deprived communities face the greatest challenges when it comes to making healthier food choices and the food environments around them are making that harder, not easier to be healthy.
“We know that people want to make better food choices but feel that their environment is working against them. We need to make it easier for people to make healthy choices by providing healthier options.”