I'm not entirely sure that the 2 things are connected. Do you have a link to the survey? Or a reason for cutting back on food? Is it to afford luxuries, or have they been cut already?
When I grew up in the 80's we didn't have: double glazing, central heating, holidays abroad, sky, mobile...
Add to this a free University education, with government grants too! There's nothing like pulling up the rope ladder after you've got to the top, is there?