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Inequalities in diet, obesity, physical activity and physical inactivity in children in Scotland in 2010

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2013

L. F. Masson ,
J. I. Macdiarmid ,
L. C. A. Craig ,
W. Wills  and
G. Mceill
L. F. Masson
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD
J. I. Macdiarmid
Affiliation:
Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, AB21 9SB
L. C. A. Craig
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, AB21 9SB
W. Wills
Affiliation:
Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK
G. Mceill
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, AB21 9SB
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Abstract

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Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 71 , Issue OCE3: Winter Meeting – Joint meeting between the Nutrition Society and the Royal Society of Medicine, 11–12 December 2012, Dietary Strategies for the Management of Cardiovascular Risk , 2012 , E244
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013

The 2010 Survey of Diet Among Children in Scotland continued the work of the 2006 Survey of Sugar Intake Among Children in Scotland( Reference Sheehy, McNeill and Masson 1 ) to monitor progress towards the Scottish Dietary Targets for non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) intakes in children. This analysis investigated inequalities in dietary intake, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and levels of physical activity and inactivity in children in Scotland in 2010.

Children aged 3–16 years were randomly selected across Scotland using the HM Revenue and Customs Child Benefit Register. After an opt-out exercise, the Scottish Collaborative Group Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) (http://www.foodfrequency.org.uk) was mailed to parents for completion by the parent and/or child (depending on the age of the child). Fieldwork was carried out between June and November 2010. Fieldworkers checked the FFQ, asked about time spent in physical activities and in front of a screen (television, computer or games console), and measured height and weight. Overweight including obesity was defined as BMI ≥85th percentile using the UK 1990 centile charts( Reference Cole, Freeman and Preece 2 ). 1906 interviews were carried out and 1674 FFQs were available for dietary analysis (response rates 63% and 55% respectively). Analysis by level of deprivation used the 2009 version of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)( 3 ).

In 2010, the prevalence of overweight including obesity increased with deprivation from 25% in the least deprived quintile to 38% in the most deprived quintile (p = 0.009 for association). The mean time spent in front of a screen on an average day increased from 1.7 hours in the least deprived quintile to 2.2 hours in the most deprived quintile (p < 0.001). However, the proportion of children who reported meeting physical activity recommendations was similar between SIMD quintiles (p = 0.914). When expressed as a percentage of food energy, NMES intakes increased significantly with deprivation, but total fat and SFA intakes did not differ by SIMD quintile.

Inequalities in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children have widened between 2006 and 2010 (1). Inequalities in NMES intake and sedentary activity also need to be addressed.

Funded by the Food Standards Agency in Scotland.

References

1. Sheehy, C, McNeill, G, Masson, LF et al. (2008) Survey of Sugar Intake Among Children in Scotland http://www.food.gov.uk/scotland/scotnut/scotsug Google Scholar
2. Cole, T, Freeman, JV & Preece, MA. (1990) Archives of Disease in Childhood 73, 25–29.Google Scholar
3. Scottish Government. (2009) Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2009: General Report. Edinburgh, Scottish Government. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/10/28104046/0 Google Scholar