Scots told to eat healthier amid obesity link to Covid-19

Scots have been told to eat more healthily amid a link between excess weight and increased impact of Covid-19.
Pizza is one of the most popular takeaway options.Pizza is one of the most popular takeaway options.
Pizza is one of the most popular takeaway options.

A situation report from independent body Food Standards Scotland (FSS) warns that 65 per cent of Scots are either overweight or obese and urges people to improve habits.

The Scottish diet remains too high in calories, fats, sugar and salt, and too low in fibre, fruit and vegetables, the report says, adding that people need to cut down on “discretionary foods” including snacks, biscuits, cakes and sugary drinks, by half.

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There is a higher proportion of people with obesity in more deprived areas (65 per cent) than less deprived areas (56 per cent).

It comes as a link has been established between obesity and Covid-19, and the FSS warns that now more than ever Scots need to improve their diet.

"To reduce the burden of obesity and diet-related disease in Scotland, an increasingly agile response to changing food landscapes is critical,” said Food Standards Scotland Chair, Ross Finnie.

“An imminent focus is the current and future impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on what we buy and eat. We will ensure our monitoring role keeps pace, given the clear link between excess weight and poorer outcomes from Covid-19.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of and thank our Public Health Nutritionists for their expert advice and strong collaborative approach, which will continue as we help all of Scotland work towards a healthier diet.”

The report highlights research released in August which showed that 37 per cent of people said they ate more cakes, biscuits, sweets and snacks during lockdown.

Despite the continuation of takeaway business, 33 per cent of people said they ate fewer takeaways during lockdown, and 28 per cent said they ate healthier meals more often.

The report, whose research was conducted before the pandemic, found that 30 per cent of children are at risk of being overweight or obese.

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It also warns that while the amount of sugary soft drinks affected by the sugar tax which people consume has gone down, the consumption of sugary drinks which are exempt from the tax has gone up.

"The approach outlined by Food Standards Scotland will play an important part in supporting our vision to create a country where everyone eats well, and we all have a healthy weight,” said Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick.

“Too many people in Scotland face serious risks to their health associated with poor diet and unhealthy weight, and this is an unacceptable situation.

“The Scottish Government looks forward to working with Food Standards Scotland and our many partners on achieving our bold ambition for a healthier Scotland.”

Price promotions in supermarkets were singled out as a key driver for unhealthy eating, with as much as 74 per cent of sweet snacks we buy being on promotion.

Scots spent about £820 million on takeaways in 2019, with chicken, burger, Chinese, Thai, fish and pizza meals the most popular choices.

Around 11 per cent of the visits made to food settings outside of the home in 2019 were for takeaway.

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