Scots urged to eat better to fight Covid
Scots have been told to eat more healthily amid a link between excess weight and increased impact of Covid- 19.
A situation report from independent body Food Standards Scotland ( FSS) warns that 65 per cent of Scots are either overweight or obese and urges people to improve habits.
The Scottish diet remains too high in calories, fats, sugar and salt, and too low in fibre, fruit and vegetables, the report says, adding that people need to cut down on “discretionary foods” including snacks, biscuits, cakes and sugary drinks, by half.
There is a higher proportion of people with obesity in more deprived areas ( 65 per cent) than less deprived areas ( 56 per cent). It comes as a link has been established between obesity and Covid- 19, and the FSS warns that now more than ever Scots need to improve their diet.
"To reduce the burden of obesity and diet-related disease in Scotland, an increasingly agile response to
changing food landscapes is critical,” said Food Standards Scotland Chair, Ross Finnie.
“An imminent focus is the current and future impact of the Covid- 19 pandemic on what we buy and eat. We will ensure our monitoring role keeps pace, given the clear link between excess weight and poorer outcomes from Covid- 19. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of and thank our Public Health Nutritionists for their expert advice and strong collab orative approach, which will continue as we help all of Scotland work towards a healthier diet.”