These Are the 3 Main Barriers to Healthy Living, Says New Study

Isaac Williams
·3-min read
a person resting their head on a laptop expressing frustration or fatigue
New Study Finds 3 Main Barriers to Healthy Living Peter Dazeley - Getty Images

In some ways, healthy living has never been easier. With access to fitness apps, healthier nutrition, and endless advice at our fingertips, surely we should all be thriving? Sadly, not quite. A recent study has revealed that despite four in five people in the US and UK spending money on their health each month, a huge 42 per cent still feel unable to live their healthiest lives. The root causes? Fatigue and financial instability.

The Study

The research, conducted by Levity, surveyed 1,014 US and British people to uncover spending habits and the challenges people face in sticking with healthy lifestyles. Participants included a mix of generations, with Millennials making up the largest group at 46 per cent.

One of the key goals of the study was to understand how much people invest in their health and what prevents them from achieving their goals. The findings show clear financial, motivational, and physical hurdles that stand in the way of healthier living, particularly for low-income groups.

The Results

The survey revealed that a significant majority of respondents (81 per cent) allocate a portion of their income to health-related expenses every month. On average, this equates to 5.5 per cent of annual income – 6.3 per cent in the US compared to 4.7 per cent in the UK. The most common expenses included healthier food and diets, with Americans spending slightly more ($87/month) than Brits ($67/month).

Despite this investment, nearly half of respondents reported feeling unable to live their healthiest lives. Fatigue was identified as the top barrier, mentioned by 62 per cent of participants, followed by financial constraints (58 per cent) and lack of motivation (53 per cent). Interestingly, Brits were 21 per cent more likely than Americans to feel they couldn’t reach their healthiest potential. Low-income respondents were also 31 per cent more likely to feel limited.

What Does This Mean For Us?

Good health doesn't come easy. Beyond feeling motivated enough to live healthily, there's a complex interplay between physical, emotional, and financial factors. Fatigue, in particular, is a vicious cycle: it limits energy to exercise or prepare nutritious meals, which makes health issues worse.

But for many people on low incomes, fatigue is also unavoidable. When you're working non-stop just to put food on the table, with no holidays or down-time, of course you're going to be knackered – all the time.

'When we talk about making healthcare accessible and affordable, we're not just talking about convenience. This is about addressing long-standing health challenges and bridging gaps that have existed for far too long,' said Dr Zoe Lees, Medical Writer at Levity.

She added, 'Living a healthy life shouldn't be a privilege – it should be something everyone can achieve. Through thoughtful policy changes, working hand-in-hand with communities, and finding creative ways to deliver care, I truly believe we can build a future where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy.'

The Bottom Line

Addressing fatigue and other barriers is no small feat: even if the desire to live healthily is there, often the energy isn’t. For most of us, the solution isn’t about chasing perfection, but finding realistic ways to work around those all-too-familiar hurdles. Whether it’s squeezing in short bursts of exercise, prepping meals that don’t require hours in the kitchen, or simply prioritising sleep, small steps can make a big difference.

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