A NATION GORGING ON FAST FOOD
Record surge in high street takeaways feeds Scotland’s crippling obesity crisis
SCOTLAND’S obesity crisis is spiralling out of control amid rising numbers of takeaways and growing fast food consumption.
The number of fast-food outlets in the country rose by a third over the past eight years, and the average family now spends around £244 a year on takeaway meals.
There are 65 takeaways for every 100,000 people north of the Border – and Glasgow has the third highest proportion in the UK. It comes amid growing fears over scotland’s obesity crisis, with more than 1.2million adults now obese, as well as 100,000 children and young people.
National obesity Forum chairman Tam Fry said: ‘The increase is truly depressing. Years ago, local councils implored holyrood
to introduce laws to limit the number of new takeaways but little good came of it. The major barrier was that millions of Scots depend on fast-food shops as their staple food source and curbing their growth was politically unacceptable. But things must change.
‘Cheap meal operators target the areas of greatest deprivation to ensure for themselves the greatest return on their investment.
‘If legislation doesn’t get tabled quickly, we will certainly see density figures increasing again and that is an appalling public health prospect.’
Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre show a 28 per cent rise in takeaway businesses since 2010, with 3,515 across the country – an increase of more than 800.
There are 65 fast-food outlets for every 100,000 people north of the Border – rising from 52 per 100,000 people in 2010.
Glasgow has the highest number of takeaways per population in Scotland, with 90 per 100,000. This is the third highest in the UK, with only London and Manchester ahead.
The report warned many consumers ‘significantly underestimate the calorific content of takeaway meals’. It also urged politicians to seriously consider the ‘densities and growth trends in availability’.
The Scottish Government has pledged to tackle the country’s obesity problem and ministers are currently consulting on plans to restrict takeaway availability, as well as free give-aways and meal deals.
The average Scots family now spends £244 a year on takeaways. However, people in Northern Ireland spent £8.60 a week – around £445 a year.
The report states that ‘despite Scotland’s sometimes negative association with takeaway food, the country is by no means topping the takeaway food statistics’.
Nearly all 73 Scottish parliament constituencies saw a rise in takeaways, with only Aberdeen Central, Coatbridge and Chryston, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire seeing a drop.
The area with the largest increase was Glasgow Kelvin, where 45 new takeaways opened. In Edinburgh Central there were 35 more outlets, while 30 fast-food restaurants opened in Airdrie and Shotts.
The report highlighted concerns around the links between deprivation and the availability of takeaways, stating there is an ‘over-representative share relative to population share and high levels of deprivation’ in areas such as Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and Dundee.
Scottish Conservative equalities spokesman Annie Wells said: ‘Tons of Scots enjoy a takeaway as an occasional treat with no ill effect. With Scotland’s growing obesity problems, it is obviously important that takeaway outlets include a range of healthy food.
‘The SNP must make sure that all Scots have access to physical activity and a healthy lifestyle and not demonise hard-working businesses.’ A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The out-of-home sector has an important role to play in providing access to affordable, healthier food choices and helping to inform consumers about what is in their food.
‘Food Standards Scotland have consulted on how the out-of-home sector can contribute to Scotland becoming a healthier nation. We expect them to publish results soon.’
‘An appalling public health prospect’