Survey paints ‘concerning picture’ of Scottish children’s dietary habits
Children in the most deprived areas experienced the highest levels of food insecurity and struggled the most to meet dietary goals compared to those in the least-deprived areas according to the DISH survey.
The survey, which involved 1,700 participants across Scotland, was carried out by the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of Edinburgh, Taylor McKenzie Research and marketing on behalf of Food Standards Scotland (FSS). The key findings are:
- Most children exceed maximum recommendations for energy density and free sugars with diets commonly falling short of fibre and other essential nutrients.
- Children in the most deprived areas consuming less fruit and vegetables and less likely to meet fibre goals than those in the least deprived areas.
- Food insecurity impacts nearly one in five families, with rates much higher in Scotland's most deprived areas.
- Only 8% of children meet the recommended Scottish Dietary Goal for free sugars (sugars added to food and drinks, and those contained within honey, syrup and fruit juice).
- Adolescents aged 11 to 15 consume diets significantly higher in free sugars and lower in fibre compared to younger children.
Heather Kelman, chair of FSS, said: “The findings from this report are extremely concerning, yet sadly not surprising. They serve as yet another reminder of our nation’s poor diet, with the very real consequences being felt now.
“A key question now is how many ‘wake up calls’ do we need before we start to seriously address this and take immediate action to improve our food environment and make it easier for families to access affordable and healthy food.
“Foods and drinks high in fats, sugar and salt account for an unhealthy amount of our children’s diets. Urgent action is needed by industry and Government to shift the dial if we are to make real progress towards the Scottish Government’s ambition to halve childhood obesity by 2030. Without this, we risk jeopardising the health of future generations growing up in Scotland.”
To access the full DISH report, visit here.