Lockdown eating habits increase obesity in children
Scotland is going in “completely the wrong direction” on childhood obesity as poor eating habits picked up during lockdowns have continued.
The nation is facing a crisis following people being furloughed and even eating “out of boredom”.
Many changes in people’s diets reported in 2020, such as ordering takeaways and eating out of boredom, continued in 2021, according to a survey by Obesity Action Scotland (OAS).
OAS, which is funded by the Scottish Government and hosted by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, also found more than half of those on low incomes or furlough believed their weight had increased since the first lockdown.
A separate survey of parents by Ipsos Scotland on behalf of Oasfound44percentthought they had gained weight since 2020, and 14 per cent thought the same of their child.
The most recent figures from Public Health Scotland about BMI of children in primary 1, which showed a significant increase in the rate of children at risk of obesity and being overweight.
Lorraine Tulloch, programme lead of Obesity Action Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government has made a commitment to halve childhood obesity by 2030. However, we are heading in completely the wrong direction.
"We urgently need bold, effective, progressive and sustained measures across governments, communities and places where we buy and consume food to get back on track in tackling this important issue.
“Many parents recognise their own weight has increased. This alongside the evidence of a concerning rise in primary 1 children at risk of obesity, makes it clear that families need support in being able to prevent unhealthy weight gain.”
A separate report from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) also released on Monday found 34 per cent of parents said their diet had become less healthy during the pandemic, while 17 per cent said their children’s had.
FSS said Brexit and climate change have also increased diets in the past two years.
Dr Gillian Purdon, head of nutrition science and policy at FSS, said: “It’s been a difficult two years and we’re continuing to navigate the uncertain economic and social consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and wider global issues.
“During this time, many of us changed the way we eat. This latest report revealed that 88 per cent of adults in Scotland understand that an unhealthy diet can lead to poor health.
"From March 2020 with more time spent at home, snacking increased by over 30 per cent. Trips to takeaways also doubled largely due to the restrictions on the out-ofhome market, which includes restaurants, cafes and pubs.”
Obesity Action Scotland carried out two polls of Scottish people about eating habits during the Covid pandemic – one in May 2020 and another in March 2021.
Ipsos interviewed more than 1,000 parents and carers in November last year.