NEW ‘SIT-DOWN’ COMEDY SKETCH RELEASED TO TACKLE THE GREAT BRITISH POO TABOO
8th February 2023

• Almost 40 per cent cite the cost-of-living crisis as a reason for their declining gut health, with 30 per cent saying their gut health worsened in 2022
• Holland & Barrett has partnered with comedian Jessica Fostekew to launch a ‘sit-down' comedy skit for the public to watch while on the toilet –

New research out today reveals that over half (58 per cent) of people have experienced gut health issues, with 45 per cent of those admitting the issues are chronic (lasting three months or more). Despite such a stark figure, it seems the UK are bashful over their belly bothers with over half (58 per cent) still seeing it as a taboo subject. As a result, over a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents choose to ignore their declining digestive health.

To break the stomach stigma, Holland & Barrett is on a mission to get people listening to (and talking about) how their gut is feeling. The leading health and wellness retailer has teamed up with comedian Jessica Fostekew, to create a ‘sit down’ poo skit (rather than a stand-up), using comedy to educate and get people talking about their gut health. The comedy sketch is filled with hilarious poo one-liners and humorous experiences, to be enjoyed while on the loo – where 57* per cent of people can be found scrolling on their phone.

Watch the sketch here: www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/conditions/digestive-health/jessica-fostekew

The ‘Great British Poo Taboo’ means the public are tolerating anything from bloating and gas (51 per cent) and constipation (33 per cent) to acid reflux (30 per cent) and diarrhoea (28 per cent) – and it doesn’t stop there. The new research has revealed that 37 per cent have suffered with severe symptoms for as long as three years, with a third (30 per cent) saying that symptoms have worsened over the past 12 months.

39 per cent surveyed blamed the cost-of-living crisis for the state of their stomach – being unable to afford sufficient healthy food, amongst other factors. The biggest causes to poor gut health are overindulgence (52 per cent), lack of quality sleep (48 per cent) and a poor diet (37 per cent). Stomach woes are having a huge impact on people’s overall wellbeing, with over half (57 per cent) saying they experience low mood in relation to their gut health, 52 per cent stating it wreaks havoc on their sleep quality and stress levels (39 per cent). One in 10 go as far as claiming their gut health issues negatively impact their relationships.

It seems the country are in a state of deja-poo when it comes to their stomach issues. People are willing to suffer with the same issue time and time again, with 41 per cent finding it difficult to break the cycle of bad gut health habits. More often it is education around the issue that is the real barrier to great gut health, with a third (32 per cent) claiming they just don’t know the root of the problem to their stomach woes.

Alex Glover, Senior Nutritionist at Holland & Barrett, comments: “At H&B we’re on a mission to break the poo taboo, and we have trained gut health experts in every H&B store, to provide personalised advice and solutions, and we also offer free 1-2-1 online consultations, at a time that is convenient to our customers. As well as our expert guidance, we’re so confident in our products we’re offering our customers a 90-day gut health challenge, so they can try one of our recommended products and if they don’t feel the difference after 90 days, receive their money back.”

Holland & Barrett has also partnered with The IBS Network, a national charity helping people with IBS to live well with the condition and better manage their symptoms.

Alison Reid, Chief Executive Officer at The IBS Network, comments: “IBS can be extremely life-limiting however, this chronic long-term condition can be helped through lifestyle and diet management, and people really shouldn’t be nervous to talk about poo. Learning about your triggers and making small changes can make a big difference. The IBS Network is providing expert guidance to further enhance H&B’s colleague training programme and articles from the IBS Network can be found on the gut health hub on the H&B website. We hope this will help people living with IBS have confidence that they will find a supportive ear from the charity, help when they are out shopping and raise even more awareness on the importance of talking about gut issues.”

Helping to improve people’s gut health has long been a mission for Holland & Barrett, and in addition to training 4,000 of its store colleagues to advise on gut health, the wellness retailer has created an online hub of information with advice and tips for those wanting to know more: www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/conditions/digestive-health/gut-health-report-2023

ENDS

For more information, please contact the Holland & Barrett press office on 07555 144 508 or handb@theacademypr.com.

Notes to editors

A comment from Jessica Fostekew: "Like many, I’ve experienced the odd gut health grumble. I haven’t always known what’s going on in there or where to seek help. So being able to work on this campaign and find out more about how our guts affect our whole wellbeing has been fascinating. Who knew our guts are the new eighth wonder of the world!? This is a really important thing to be shouting about because it affects every single one of us but it's something lots of us still rarely think about. Also, however clever we comedians pretend to be, it is our secret dream-come-true to be asked to tell a whole set of poo jokes.”

About the Research

Gut health research conducted in January 2023 by Holland & Barrett amongst 1,000 customers (adults aged 18+ years).