Obesity in Scotland has hit record levels – the rise comes as the number of people worried about running out of food has also risen to its highest ever.

The latest Scottish Health Survey 2023 found almost a third of adults (32%) were living with obesity, up from 24% in 2003 to the highest level since the survey began.

It added that for 2022 and 2023 combined, just under two-thirds of Scots (64%) were at increased health risk based on both body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.

Obesity is linked to a range of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, asthma and high cholesterol, with research also showing that more than one in 20 cancers in UK adults are related to excess weight, which makes obesity possible. the second largest preventable cause of cancer.

Scotland’s top doctor, chief medical officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith, said that while the research found a “continuing decline” in the number of Scots drinking to harmful or dangerous levels, there had been a “significant increase in levels of food insecurity, the highest levels”. of registered obesity and a continued increase in vaping, particularly among younger adults”.

He said “the findings presented in this report provide a crucial picture of health and wellbeing in Scotland and how it has changed over the last two decades”.

The 2023 survey also found that 14% of adults reported food security concerns, worrying about not having enough to eat.

This rose from 9% in 2021 to the highest level since data on it was first recorded in 2017.

Younger people were more likely to be food insecure than older Scots, with 20% of 16-44-year-olds worried about running out of food, compared to 5%, according to the data among those aged 65 and over.

Meanwhile, the 2023 survey found that 6% of people had gone without food in the past 12 months due to lack of money – up from 3% in 2021.

Again, the problem was worst among the 16-44 age group, with 8% reporting they had run out of food, compared to 2% of over-65s.

While the proportion of people who smoke has remained constant at 15%, there has been an increase in the use of e-cigarettes or vaping.

A total of 12% of adults used them in 2023, up from 10% the previous year – but use rose to almost a quarter (22%) among 16-24 year olds .

Elsewhere, the survey found the number of Scots drinking at harmful levels fell to 20% in 2023 – down from 34% in 2003.

Overall, the research found almost three-quarters (72%) of adults were in either ‘good’ or ‘very good’ health – although the report noted this was at the ‘lower end of the range’ of 70% to 77% that it has been registered for it since 2008.

Almost two-fifths of adults reported having a limiting, long-term health condition – this affected 43% of women and 32% of men in 2023.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “This report highlights that obesity remains a significant and complex public health challenge.

“This financial year we have provided core funding of £8.25 million to health boards to deliver weight management services in line with national standards and our type 2 diabetes prevention framework.

“This is in addition to the funding provided to councils to reduce obesity and the risk of type 2 diabetes through effective prevention and weight management interventions.”

The minister continued: “We recognize the pressure on household budgets, which is why we allocate around £3 billion a year to policies that tackle poverty and support people through the cost of living crisis.

“But more needs to be done, which is why we are calling on the UK Government to provide a vital guarantee, which the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates could lift 140,000 people in Scotland out of poverty this year.

“We are determined to do everything in our power to reduce and combat youth vaping. Newly reintroduced Tobacco and Vapes law bans vapes from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children to prevent the next generation from becoming addicted to nicotine.”

But Labour’s health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said: “With a record proportion of Scots living with obesity, we cannot afford a normal approach to public health.”

Dame Jackie called on ministers to “take a targeted and proactive approach to reach everyone from deprived areas and young people who disproportionately struggle with loneliness and mental health issues, to women with long-term conditions “.

She added: “The rise in young Scots using e-cigarettes should raise alarm bells – Labs are committed to banning single-use vapes and the marketing of vapes and junk food to children.

“And at a time when a record proportion of Scots are worried about going without food, we need to make sure healthy eating is accessible to everyone.”

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