Scotland's obesity crisis is not new, but the worsening problem is having a real impact on the NHS. With almost seven in 10 Scots either overweight or obese, the numbers at risk from diabetes, strokes, cancers and heart conditions is a growing concern and a genuine drain on the health budget.
A recent Scottish Government report also highlighted an association between being overweight and problems such as depression and anxiety and says there is a link between obesity in midlife and possible dementia later in life. A new report out today reveals the most overweight areas in Scotland – and in every area the majority of adults are overweight.
In East Ayrshire and Orkneym three out of every four has a weight problem. We are often critical of our health service not being able to meet the needs of patients with lengthy waiting times for treatments but we must take some responsibility for our own health.
And there are simple steps we can take to help lose weight and increase our chances of avoiding the need for NHS treatment. A report by the World Health Organisation last year said if each individual’s activity levels increased by a few per cent, it could save billions of pounds a year on health services around the world.
Scotland’s NHS faces very real funding issues that the government must address. But if we all adopted the simple mantra of eat less, move more it would go a long way to easing the crisis at our hospital front doors.
Scotland’s best
When Jennifer McLellan had to flee war-torn Sudan to return to Scotland she must have feared the worst. Originally from Islay, she had lived in the African country working as a teacher for more than a decade with husband Mohamed.
She raised the couple’s four children there – but when war broke out she had to dodge bullets to get a flight to safety with her kids. Tragically, she had to leave Mohamed behind as he had to look after his shop business and elderly mother.
Jennifer spoke movingly about her fears for the future back home in Scotland – where she was effectively homeless and penniless. But she has been overwhelmed by the kindness of friends and family who have raised thousands of pounds to help her get back on her feet.
We hope that Jennifer and her children can find peace and hopefully be reunited with their dad and husband. But until then she can at least be reassured that she will get all the help she needs to thrive. Well done to the friends and family who have shown the very best side of Scotland.
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