More than a quarter of adults obese

More than a quarter of adults are obese, costing Scotland’s health service more than £450 million a year, according to a new report.

The Scottish Health Survey has revealed that 27 per cent of Scots aged 16-64 were obese in 2010, continuing the upward trend from 17 per cent in 1995.

Meanwhile, 65 per cent of adults are measured as overweight or obese.

The survey, produced for the Scottish Government, said it was predicted that obesity rates could reach 40 per cent by 2030, with the cost to the NHS rising to more than £3 billion.

Obesity increases the risk of diseases such as type two diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and cancer. It has also been linked to strokes, liver and gall bladder disease, respiratory problems, sleep disturbance and mental illnesses.

The survey follows the launch of the Scottish Government’s action plan to tackle obesity in March this year.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have introduced a range of measures to improve diet and are spending over £7.5 million in the next three years on projects to encourage healthy eating. As part of this we are working closely with the food industry.”