Scotland too overweight

September, 26

Once again Scotland is making news in the global scenario, this time the issue is very fat, the beautiful and historic place has been declared the second largest most overweight nation after United States. The study conducted points that, out of every four Scottish adult one is victim of obesity.

This fact has raised a serious concern which needs to be addressed or else this obesity will result to a big public health problem in coming days. The statistics released by the Scottish Public Health Observatory (SPHO) suggest that obesity graph is scaling high day by day in Scotland. It points out that since 1995 obesity has rose to 46 percent in the adult population. In case of children every one in five children is said to be obese in the year 2004-05. This problem is also costing Scotland ₤171 million each year. Obesity is also leading people to many other serious health problems.

Scotland population follows an in-active lifestyle, along with that Scots prefer more junk, fatty and high-calorie foods. This eating habit is adding to their woes making them more fat. Even Scotland races first in comparison with other neighboring nations where this problem is rare.

The principal research officer for the SPHO programme, Ian Grant said the ways to tackle this problem is very scant. He further adds, "over the last ten years, the problem has been increasing and there is nothing to suggest from these figures that the problem will reduce in the next few years," he said. "What we have to do is look at the factors that are responsible and if some of these things don't improve, then I would imagine the problem of obesity will increase."

One of the spokeswomen for the British Medical Association suggested that, the best way to tackle this epidemic is to control this problem from its roots. She said its very essential to educate children about healthy eating habits. Another thing is to make nutritious food cheaper so that all can afford that. She added that "This is not just a health problem. It is a problem that has to be tackled as a social issue. If we act now, we can save the next generation."

The clinical director for the National Obesity forum says the figures are shocking and hints that UK is following the American trends. He said the eating culture has to be transformed to curb this menace. The public health minister, Shona Robinson also states serious concern over the increase in childhood obesity percent and thinks sudden actions is required before the situation becomes adverse.

This study results an alarm for all Scottish gourmets who prefer having junk food and high calorie diet. Now its on the side of the government and people how they cope up with this growing threat in near future before its become an epidemic.

Summary of the report is available at SPHO Scotland
Full Report on Obesity in Scotland (from Scotland.org.uk server)