Obesity and alcohol twin hurdles to better health says Chief Medical Officer

Obesity, poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption are causing “unacceptable levels of ill health” in Scotland, the country’s Chief Medical Officer has warned.

Sir Harry Burns said the nation had seen some positive signs, such as dropping mortality rates in cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke, and also a decline in smoking-related illness and the narrowing gap in incidence between rich and poor.

But in his annual report, the senior doctor warned that challenges still remained, particularly in addressing obesity, poor diet and alcohol consumption.

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Sir Harry said that mortality rates from Scotland’s big three killers – cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke – continued to decline. The premature mortality rate – the rate of death from all causes in those under 75 – has fallen by 28 per cent from 507 per 100,000 in 1995 to 365 per 100,000 in 2009.

The report said this reduction was the result of significant reductions in premature death rates from cancer (22 per cent), heart disease (60 per cent) and stroke (54 per cent).

The rate of smoking in those between 16 and 65 has fallen from 35 per cent in 1995 to 28 per cent in 2010, but the report said continued efforts to support smokers in their attempts to quit would bring significant further benefits to the health of the population.

Between 1995 and 2010, the proportion of adults aged 16-64 who were overweight or obese increased from 52.4 per cent to 63.3 per cent. And in 2010, only 22 per cent of adults met the recommended daily intake of five or more portions of fruit and vegetables.

Sir Harry said: “If we are to make a significant impact on the incidence of ill health in Scotland, we need to pay attention to the ways in which we create health,” he said.

“A number of programmes and policies have been introduced in Scotland in recent years aimed at improving health and wellbeing in Scotland. Some have proved effective. Smoking related illnesses, for example, are declining and the gap in incidence between rich and poor is narrowing.

“This has been achieved by a combination of legislation and action across communities to highlight the dangers of smoking and to support smokers in their attempts to quit.”