Dr Jennifer Logue is a Clinical Reader and Consultant in Metabolic Medicine. Her work focuses on treating or preventing complications around obesity and cardiovascular risk.

She is the Associate Dean for Research for Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine and Deputy Clinical Director of the NIHR North West Coast Clinical Research Network. She has also advised the Scottish government on diabetes prevention.

Dr Logue is a key speaker at our Food Solutions: Health Innovation Workshop in February.

She said: “One of the main issues I see when people are considering their diet is a lack of knowledge and a lack of confidence. People want to eat well but struggle with knowing how to do that.

“In my weight management clinics, we also see people who have real emotional attachment to eating. And there is a problem with how easily people can access food which is extremely high in sugar and salt content.”

Dr Logue added that the private sector has a role to play in helping people eat healthier, with new consumer markets appearing for innovative business.

She said: “We need the food manufacturers to work with us on this. I hear it said that you can solve the problem by just forcing people to buy fresh raw ingredients but that’s not the way people work. People will choose convenience, and often affordability, so we need them to come on board.

“However, attitudes are changing and people are looking to take more control over the food they eat. For instance, we are seeing a big demand for food box services at the moment which are helping people make fresh, healthier food. They may have chosen to buy processed previously.

“A lot of young people are extremely body conscious these days, male and female, and that will continue to drive change in what is on offer.

“On top of that, things such as additional taxation on unhealthy food might start to be imposed by government – particularly out-of-home outlets – so doing what they’ve always done will no longer be an option.

“That’s part of the problem. A chippy owner is worried that a move towards healthier eating will damage their business, whereas what will really damage their business is failing to give people choice.”