Kiren Zubairi says the third sector is full of ideas on how to tackle our dysfunctional approach to food
What has led obesity to increase to such unprecedented levels in Scotland? Does it come down to personal responsibility, a string of poor choices? Or like many of the inequalities that exist in our society, is it an issue that is underpinned by a number of socio-economic circumstances?
Scotland is the heaviest nation in the UK and one of the heaviest among OECD countries. Results from the recent Scottish Health Survey show that 65% of adults are overweight or obese and 29% of children are at risk of being overweight or obese. This costs the NHS in Scotland around £600 million and the costs to the wider economy are estimated to be in excess of £4.5 billion.
What can be done to tackle the issue of poor diet and obesity in Scotland?
A recent publication by the Scottish Public Health Observatory has found that "obesity related inequalities are… symptomatic of the fundamental causes of wider health inequalities – an unequal distribution of income, power and wealth."
The latest meeting of the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities that Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) provide the secretariat for, heard from Cancer Research UK. Their representative discussed the research surrounding the links between cancer and obesity and laid out the opportunities for action.
Cancer Research UK is focusing on a population wide approach and not individual behaviour change. It has called for regulatory action on junk food price promotions, a ban on junk food marketing before the 9pm watershed and the reformulation of fat, sugar and salt levels in food and drink.
Pilton Community Health Project has called for a focus on food as a human right in its recent report,Hungry for Change. It has highlighted the issue of food insecurity or food poverty (you can read TFN's story on it here) and how this inhibits people’s ability to adequately feed themselves. It has called for improvements in the availability and affordability of food as well as the development of local food activities as a means of developing a local food economy.
Nourish Scotland is campaigning for thegood food nation bill as a means to tackling the dysfunctional food system in Scotland that enables an obesogenic environment.
So again, what can be done to solve the complex issue of obesity in Scotland? VHS believes there is no single answer to this complex, multifaceted issue and that we need a combination of all of these activities. The draft Diet, Activity and Healthy Weight Strategy is welcome as are its three broad areas of focus; transforming the food environment; supporting people to live healthier and more active lives; and promoting leadership and exemplary practice.
VHS thinks that the strategy needs to be refined and strengthened with the voices of individuals, communities, food providers, health professionals and people from across all sectors. It is urging everyone to respond to the consultation and attend the engagement events that the Scottish Government and the Scottish Public Health Network is holding across Scotland. You can find out more information about the events and sign up!
Kiren Zubairi is policy engagement officer at Voluntary Health Scotland.
