Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has released two new reports which highlight the huge challenge for people in Scotland to have a healthier diet and reduce their risk of diet related diseases. The reports show that:
- 9 out of 10 people agree that obesity is a serious problem in Scotland
- 66% of people think that cafés and restaurants should display calories on their menus
- For those who drink, alcohol consumption contributes an average 810-1100 calories each week
- 49% of the Scottish population would support banning promotions on unhealthy products
- The decline in sugar from soft drinks has been offset by increases in sugar from other foods
An updated Situation Report from 2015 by Food Standards Scotland – The Scottish Diet: It Needs to Change 2018 shows that 2 out of 3 adults and almost a third of children living in Scotland remain overweight or obese two years on from the original report. Around 20% of the calories and fats we eat, and around half of sugar intake, still comes from discretionary foods such as confectionery, cakes, biscuits, pastries, crisps and sugary drinks.
The updated Situation Report also shows that some people in Scotland are consuming large amounts of calories from alcoholic drinks, with average male and female drinkers consuming 1100 and 810 calories a week respectively from beer, wine and spirits.
The second report published by Food Standards Scotland monitors purchases and price promotions from retailers and shows no real improvement in the amount of calories, fats and sugar purchased in Scotland from 2010 – 2016. It shows that while there is a welcome decline in sugar from soft drinks this has been offset by increases in sugar purchase from other foods.