Celebrity chefs have more influence over public eating habits than the government, results of a new survey show.

The new research will provide food for thought for those working in dietitian jobs, who often advise the public on their eating habits.

Health Minister Andrew Lansley criticised the 'Jamie Oliver approach' to raising public awareness of health and fitness. At the recent BMA conference, which took place in Brighton, he said a more 'evidence-based' approach was needed to solve the nation's health problems.

The YouGov SixthSense study offers thoughts to both sides of the debate. The research found that only 10 per cent of UK adults believe their eating habits are influenced by government healthy eating campaigns. The figure falls to 8 per cent for the less affluent members of society.

However, the study found that media and celebrity culture was much more powerful with 21 per cent admitting their food choices were influenced by television documentaries and 31 per cent taking inspiration from cooking programmes.

The majority of people's eating habits are down to what their family and friends say, with 39 per cent of participants stating that advice from friends and family sways their eating decisions.

A mere 13 per cent of the public say they eat the government's recommended 5 pieces of fruit and vegetable a day, a figure that will no doubt leave the government rather disappointed.

James McCoy the research director for YouGov SixthSense told Nursing Times: "It is difficult to strike the right balance. Although it is important to inform the public about the benefits of healthy eating, it is equally important that both government and media refrain from badgering unnecessarily."