The prevalence of obesity in Scotland has increased over the past two decades, reaching 22% in men and 24% in women in 2003 with marked increases in men aged 35-64 years and in women aged 35-44 years.
Obesity in children is now common. In Scotland, nearly, one in five (18%) boys and over one in ten (14%) girls aged 2-15 years are obese.
It is estimated that obesity in Scotland is linked to nearly 500,000 cases of high blood pressure, 30,000 cases of type 2 diabetes, and similar numbers of cases of osteoarthritis and gout.
It is estimated that obese people in Scotland are 18% more likely to be hospitalized than those of normal weight.
Existing international evidence in relation to mortality associated with obesity suggests that the risk of death among obese people is two to three times higher than people of normal weight.
International comparisons show that Scotland has very high levels of obesity compared with other European countries.
NHS Information Services Scotland
Obesity increases the risk of disease and ill-health. Conditions linked to obesity include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteo-arthritis
- Infertility
- Gall bladder disease
- Breathing problems during sleep (sleep apnoea)
- Breast and colo-rectal cancer
Research shows that a combination of obesity and inactivity is particularly risky.
Tackling obesity in Scotland
The Scottish Government have invested an extra £40 million for health improvement initiatives, including £15 million directly targeted at tackling obesity. The investment will be made available over the next three years (2008 - 2011) for a series of healthy weight, health eating and physical activity programmes. In Spring 2008 the Scottish Government published its action plan on healthy weight, physical activity and healthy eating.
Useful documents
Obesity in Scotland 2007, ISD Scotland
Healthy Eating, Active Living: an action plan to improve diet, increase physical activity and tackle obesity, Scottish Government
Let's Make Scotland More Active: A strategy for physical activity, Scottish Government
Energising Lives: A guide to promoting physical activity in primary care, NHS Health Scotland
Useful Links
Nutrition
NHS Health Scotland
Details on the Food and Health-related programme of work being taken forward by Health Scotland and their partners. You'll also find links to Food and Health learning opportunities, networks, research, publications and related websites.
5 A Day
Top tips for eating more fruit and vegetables
Food and Health Alliance
This site has been designed to provide everyone with an interest in food and health improvement work in Scotland with up-to-date information on what's going on.
Healthy Living
Information about what constitutes a healthy diet, as well as our food place model which shows the types and proportions of foods needed to make a well-balanced and healthy diet.
Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency carries out a varied programme of work on nutrition, including practical initiatives, such as the Cooking Bus, and research to support our policy and campaigns.
Eatwell
A public-facing website from the Food Standards Agency on healthy eating and food safety.
Community Food and Health (Scotland)
Community Food and Health (Scotland) supports initiatives in low-income communities which help people take up a healthy diet.
Food for Thought Glasgow
Food for Thought Glasgow encourages social integration and healthier lifestyles through training. To support this work, they also provide Healthy Hospitality catering for Events and Functions.
Physical Activity
Physical Activity and Health Alliance
This website contains information and resources to help members of the physical activity workforce implement the national physical activity strategy, 'Let's Make Scotland More Active'.
Paths to Health
Paths to Health delivers walking for health under 4 main themes, Community, Health care, Workplace and National Co-ordination. They can advise you on how to set up your own walking project and provide training, grants and resources to help you to promote walking in your area.
Outdoor Access
Outdoor Access offers support, advice and training for the development of path networks aimed at meeting local needs.
Healthy Living
Tips on physical activity, advice on attaining an active lifestyle and information on the benefits of physical activity, including the health risks associated with inactivity.
Scottish Athletics
scottishathletics is the governing body for athletics in Scotland. Established as a Company Ltd by Guarantee on 1 April 2001, it succeeded the Scottish Athletics Federation. scottishathletics is affiliated to UK Athletics. Within Scotland, scottishathletics is affiliated to the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland.
JogScotland
Established in 2002 by scottishathletics, the governing body of athletics in Scotland, jogscotland uses simple, gentle walk/jog/run programmes to encourage everyone to get out and be active!
sportscotland
sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland. Working with their partners, our core responsibility is to develop sport and physical recreation in Scotland.
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