Sick man of Europe ‘is sticking to diet of binge drinking and over-eating’
November 30th, 2005
ALISON HARDIE
SCOTS are failing to heed warnings about their health by continuing to drink, smoke and eat to excess, a new report has shown.
The only improvement Scotland has made as it struggles to shake off its “sick man of Europe” tag is to minimally reduce the number of adults who smoke.
The figure has fallen from 34 per cent to 31 per cent since 1998.
However, the results of the Scottish Health Survey 2003 published yesterday paints a picture of a nation that continues to indulge in binge drinking, has scant regard for its diet and ignores persistent health warnings about obesity and failing to exercise.
It also illustrates the extent of the health gap between the rich and poor in Scotland.
The report found that in the most deprived parts of Scotland 51 per cent of men and 45 per cent of women smoke. In the most affluent parts of the country, however, only 15 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women are smokers.
Maureen Moore, chief executive of anti-smoking group ASH Scotland, said: “In Scotland, cigarette smoking and nicotine addiction is something increasingly confined to the poorest parts of our society. Medical advice and government warnings are getting through to the privileged, but they’re failing to penetrate the smoking culture of the disadvantaged.
“Such figures underline the need for Scotland’s smoking ban, which is due to come into force next March. With the highest smoking rates concentrated in more deprived areas, it is vital that we provide protection from second-hand smoke and also challenge the culture of smoking that assumes smoking is a normal thing to do. We need to invest for the long-term in effective services that will help people to stop smoking.”
Ms Moore added that 13,000 people die because of smoking related diseases every year in Scotland. Most of those deaths are in the poorest parts of society and in some parts of Glasgow men cannot even expect to reach the age of 70.
Despite the depressing results, Andy Kerr, the health minister, said yesterday that there were aspects of the report that offered reasons to be optimistic that the general health of Scotland was improving.
He highlighted the fact that fewer Scots were dying prematurely from the big three killers of cancer, heart disease and stroke.
But Mr Kerr added: “We know that Scotland is facing major issues such as rising obesity levels and increased alcohol consumption, particularly among women.
“It is also disappointing that smoking and alcohol consumption among 15-year-olds is on the increase.”
Mr Kerr insisted there were signs of improvement, such as falling smoking levels among adults. “We know that it will take generations to turn the tide of ill health and health inequalities,” he said. “Change will not happen overnight but we are committed to this for the long term.”
The survey showed that the number of female binge drinkers increased from 16 per cent to 19 per cent and that the number exceeding weekly recommended limits for alcohol risen from 15 per cent to 17 per cent.
The number of female “problem drinkers” has also increased since 1998 from 5 per cent to 7 per cent, while in males the number increased from 12 per cent to 13 per cent.
However, the number of men binge drinking and exceeding weekly recommended alcohol limits dropped from 34 per cent to 29 per cent.
The number of 15-year-old boys and girls who drank at least once a week also increased from 9 per cent to 15 per cent and from 6 per cent to 10 per cent respectively.
The number of girls aged eight to 15 who smoke has doubled from 3 per cent to 6 per cent, but decreased among boys in the same age group from 4 per cent to 3 per cent.
The survey showed that smoking among men fell from 36 per cent to 32 per cent and in women from 33 per cent to 31 per cent.
It also found that among children almost half eat one portion or more, but less than three portions of fruit and vegetables each day.
Despite the survey’s findings, the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday praised the way that health problems had been tackled by the Scottish Executive and the NHS.
Erio Ziglio, of the WHO’s European office for investment for development and health, said: “Scottish problems are not unique - European cities such as Turin and Malmo share the kind of sharp differences in life expectancy which we see in Glasgow, for example.
“However, many other countries are not as far ahead in dealing with health inequalities as Scotland, and I am keen to see how we can communicate this more widely.”
Harsh reality: obesity and drink problems on the up
• Obesity among men and women increased from 19 per cent to 22 per cent and 21 per cent to 24 per cent respectively.
• Obesity among boys aged from two to 15 went up from 14 per cent to 18 per cent and in girls dropped slightly.
• The number of female binge drinkers increased from 16 per cent to 19 per cent and the number exceeding weekly recommended limits went from 15 per cent to 17 per cent.
• The number of female “problem drinkers” also went up from 5 per cent to 7 per cent. In males the number rose from 12 per cent to 13 per cent.
• The number of men binge drinking and exceeding weekly recommended alcohol limits dropped from 34 per cent to 29 per cent.
• The number of 15-year-old boys and girls who drank at least once a week went up from 9 per cent to 15 per cent and from 6 per cent to 10 per cent respectively.
• The number of girls aged eight to 15 who smoked rose from 3 per cent to 6 per cent but fell among boys of the same age from 4 per cent to 3 per cent.
• Smoking among men fell from 36 per cent to 32 per cent and in women from 33 per cent to 31 per cent.
Source: news.scotsman.com
Entry Filed under: Nutrition News
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