A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46
VIII
FOOD AND HEALTH
New Series Regional G. 1
Interviewing was carried out during the period 30th April - 13th May 1942
The purpose of this inquiry was to discover whether people felt their health had been affected by wartime diet. The replies received are of course, subjective estimates, and the results should be regarded as showing opinions and not facts.
A general sample of the population was interviewed, 2,027 people being selected in representative proportions from different regions and occupations.
Informants were asked: “Do you find that wartime food has affected your general health at all?”
Results for men and for women show no statistically significant differences. Analysis by urban and rural areas is as follows:
| Urban | Rural | |
| % | % | |
| Yes | 17.8 | 11.2 |
| Only a little | 10.9 | 9.4 |
| No | 68.2 | 77.5 |
| Don’t know | 3.1 | 1.0 |
| Sample | 1,763 | 267 |
There were sharp regional differences in attitude. It must be noted that although the size of regional samples implies that the regional figures are subject to a wide margin of error the differences remain quite clear.
The Midland Region appears more worried than others whilst London is the next region with a substantial number of subjects answering “Yes” and “Only a little”. Scotland is the best region.
Older people are more concerned than younger about the effect of food on health.
Amongst the industrial groups interviewed differences from the total figures were most marked in Heavy Industry and the Clerical and Distributive groups.
All the people answering the previous question were asked “Has it affected your energy or ability to work?” The results followed the same pattern but were on a lower scale, i.e. it appears that on the whole people are slightly less concerned about the effect of wartime food on their ability to work than they are of its effect on their health.
Total
Regional
Whilst the Midlands still remains most concerned, both London and North have similar proportions. Scotland as before is the best region.
Age
As before, older people are more concerned.
Industrial Groups
The sharpest differences from the total position are in the Heavy Industry and Managerial and Clerical groups.
| Heavy Industry | Housewives | Clerical Distribution | Total | |
| % | % | % | % | |
| Yes | 27.4 | 13.8 | 6.8 | 13.3 |
| Only a little | 10.6 | 10.3 | 8.2 | 9.2 |
| No | 56.4 | 69.7 | 83.0 | 73.2 |
| Don’t know | 5.6 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 4.3 |
| Sample | 142 | 625 | 294 | 2022 |
THE SAMPLE
Adult Civilian Population
Total 2027