Takeaway portions could be reduced amid obesity crackdown by NHS Fife

NHS Fife has said takeaways and restaurants offer “lots of scope” in reducing Scots calorie intake amid a pilot aimed at tackling obesity.

The pilot scheme will see the health board work with inspectors and local vendors to help combat overeating.

In the new report from the health board, it says that takeaways and full-service restaurants have “lots of scope” for calorie reduction and helping communities achieve a healthy weight.

“In 2021, people in Scotland took three out-of-home trips per week on average, with one in six adults eating out at least once a week,” it read.

“Taste, ease, and convenience are the main reasons for eating out of home. Portion sizes tend to be bigger, resulting in greater caloric intake when eating out of home as compared to eating at home.”

NHS Fife’s director of Public Health, Dr Joy Tomlinson, said in the report she wants to “explore the potential for place-based approaches to planning and collaborative working to create health places and spaces.”

The crackdown comes after a 2023 report found that a record 32% of Scots were living with obesity and a further 34% were overweight.

It marked the highest level of obesity reported in the Scottish Health Survey and was significantly higher than the 24% reported in 2003.

The report, urging Scots to eat better, said evidence from the Scottish Burden of Disease Study shows that the health of Fife’s population would be improved if everyone ate a healthier diet and stayed as active as possible.

However, it added there remain significant structural barriers for people living in Fife to access a healthy diet and stay physically active as part of their everyday lives.

The barriers included affordability and food insecurity but hidden factors such as having the time and confidence and skills to cook from scratch, lack of resources for energy to cook and the means to travel to shops that offer a wide range of foods.

The report said: “Lack of confidence and poor cooking skills, and lack of food knowledge contributes to the lower fruit and vegetable intake and higher intake of high fat, high sugar foods processed foods of people in Fife. Improved access to affordable healthy food is crucial to making improvements in what people eat.”

Director of Public Health, Dr Joy Tomlinson, said: “The foods we eat and physical activity we take, are both important to health.

“Eating out especially at take-aways or restaurants, can often mean larger portion sizes and more calories. We believe there is real potential for NHS Fife to work with local outlets and the fast-food sector on reducing calories and supporting the public to make healthier choices.

“NHS Fife is not in a position to compel businesses to make these changes, however by having this public debate highlights the potential within the sector to help people achieve a healthier weight and explore community-based opportunities.“

Service manager Lisa McCann said: “The council is not considering introducing calorie or portion size limits to takeaways. We’re working with partners to see how best we can take forward a range of initiatives to encourage physical activity and improve access to healthier diets.

“One of these initiatives is in the very early stages of exploring the feasibility of a calorie reduction pilot project with our Public Health partners.

“It would potentially look at the understanding among retailers of the calories on their menus and portion sizes, how they may be able to reduce these and what support would be required if they were interested in doing so.”

NHS Fife has been contacted for comment.