Statistics from the Scottish Government has revealed that fewer than one in five Tayside residents are consuming the recommended five portions of fruit and veg per day.
More worryingly, an incredible 10% of those surveyed confessed to not eating a single portion of fruit or veg. These findings were outlined in the Scottish Health Survey and coincided with other findings revealing that life expectancy, for the first time since the 80s, was stalling in Scotland.
Liz Smith believes that more needs to be done to educate and motivate younger people into pursuing healthier lifestyles and eating habits.
Earlier in the year the Scottish Conservatives launched a healthy lifestyle discussion paper that recommended trialling programmes to make fresh fruit and vegetables available in deprived areas.
The paper also recommended favouring fresh local produced over imported food in public procurement contracts.
Commenting, Liz Smith MSP said:
“These are disappointing figures and clearly more must be done to increase fruit and veg consumption and healthy living in Tayside.
“The fact that 10% of all adults surveyed confessed to not eating any fruit or vegetables is seriously concerning and more must be done to tackle this group of people.
“Public services like hospitals and schools should be used as vehicles to help educate and set out best practice when it comes to healthy eating, and the Scottish Government must do more in this regard.
“Whilst Tayside was by no means the worst performing health board, new ideas and initiatives are needed to increase fruit and veg consumption as 65% of all adults are classed as overweight in this region.”