A new study, DISH, reveals alarming health inequalities in Scotland, with children in the most deprived areas facing higher food insecurity and struggling to meet dietary goals compared to their less deprived counterparts. The survey highlights excessive consumption of energy-dense foods and free sugars while falling short on essential nutrients like fiber. Urgent action is needed to address these issues and improve the food environment for families in Scotland.
A new study, called Dietary Intake in Scotland's Children , is raising concerns about the dietary habits of children in Scotland. It is the first significant survey to have taken place in the last 15 years, and has revealed alarming health inequalities.
DISH was carried out on behalf of Food Standards Scotland by the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of Edinburgh and Taylor McKenzie Research and Marketing. The research has found that most children are exceeding their maximum recommendations for energy density and free sugar, while falling short of fibre and other essential nutrients.
She added: "Foods and drinks high in fats, sugar and salt account for an unhealthy amount of our children’s diets. Urgent action is needed by industry and government to shift the dial if we are to make real progress towards the Scottish Government’s ambition to halve childhood obesity by 2030. Without this, we risk jeopardising the health of future generations growing up in Scotland."
The survey also showed that food insecurity impacts nearly one in five families in the country, with rates much higher in the most deprived areas of Scotland. On top of this, only eight per cent of children are meeting the recommended Scottish Dietary Goal for free sugars - sugar which is added to food and drinks - which should not be higher than five per cent of a person's calorie intake.
"The food industry, policymakers and investors all have a major role to play in improving our diet and reducing diet-related inequalities, and the scale and urgency of the changes needed will require collaboration across all parties. “Findings suggest that younger children are generally consuming enough essential vitamins and minerals, but too much sugar and salt. Adolescents, on the other hand, are not generally consuming enough of some key vitamins and minerals like iron, and get about a fifth of their calories from discretionary foods like soft drinks and confectionery.
CHILDHOOD OBESITY DIETARY INEQUALITIES FOOD SECURITY HEALTHY EATING NUTRITION
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