RCPCH Scotland responds to Food Standards Scotland latest survey

A new comprehensive survey by Food Standards Scotland, "Dietary Intake in Scotland’s Children (DISH)," reveals troubling dietary habits among children and young people aged 2 to 15 in Scotland.

The survey indicates that the majority of children exceed the recommended limits for energy density and free sugars, while their diets often lack sufficient fibre and other essential nutrients. It also highlights alarming health inequalities. 

RCPCH Officer for Scotland, Dr Mairi Stark, said:

It is incredibly concerning to hear about the dietary habits of children and young people in Scotland. It is even more alarming to learn that children in the most deprived areas experience the highest levels of food insecurity and struggle the most to meet dietary goals. We know that poverty is a key driver of poor child health outcomes. Child poverty must remain a national priority with the Government adopting a ‘child health in all policies’ approach to fully recognise the intersection between poverty and health inequalities.  

Children must have access to healthy, affordable, and nutritious food, along with adequate exercise, to combat the severe health inequalities they are facing. It is clear that further work is needed if the Government wants to meet the goal of halving childhood obesity by 2030, as set out in the Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan. Without action, children will not be able to have the healthiest start to life and enjoy longer, healthier lives. It is imperative that we safeguard the health and well-being of future generations.