The latest Scottish Health Survey results, released on November 12, 2024, reveal a concernin health crisis in Scotland as nearly ane-third o adults are noo livin wi obesity. The figure has risen tae 32%, merkin a significant increase frae 24% recordit in 2003, indicatin a warryin trend ower the past twa decades.

This latest survey reveals no ainly obesity trends but insichts intae various health-relatit issues affectin adults ower Scotland an aw. Alarmingly, fuid insecurity has surged, wi 14% o adults reportin difficulties in accessin sufficient fuid, up frae 9% in 2021. This represents the heichest level o fuid insecurity recordit syne the initiation o the survey in 2017.

Mairower, while the yaise o e-cigarettes has gained traction, 12% o adults are noo utilisin vapin devices – an increase frae 10% in 2022. The heichest yaise wis noted amang younger adults aged 16-24, whaur the prevalence raxed 22%.

Conversely, hazardous drinkin has seen a significant decline. The latest figures show that 20% o adults noo drink at risky levels, compared tae 34% back in 2003. Notably, lads are twice as likely tae engage in hazardous drinkin than lasses, wi 28% o lads an 14% o lasses admittin tae harmfu consumption.

Mental health indicators present a mair mixed picture. The average Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbein (WEMWBS) score rose tae 48.9 in 2023, up frae 47.0 in the previous year. Houaniver, 21% o adults exhibited signs o potential psychiatric disorders, consistent wi levels seen in 2021, follaein a spike tae 27% in 2022.

Laneliness remains a persistent issue, wi 10% o adults reportin feelins o loneliness maist or aw the time. This figure is pairticularly pronoonced amang young adults ages 16-24 (19%) an thae residin in the maist deprived areas (14%).

The survey heilichts a growin prevalence o lang-term health conditions, whit staunds at 38% amang adults. Altho the rate o cardiovascular disease amang adults remains stable at 15%, the prevalence o lang COVID is a growin concern, affectin 8% o adults an 2% o bairns, revealin a merked increase syne previous years.

Regairdin health trainin, ower half o the adults, 57%, hae pairticipated in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) trainin at some pynt, while 18% hae bin trained in the last twa years.

Furthermair, the report indicated that aboot 15% o adults are current smokers, unchynged frae 2022. Drug uise has remained steady as weel, wi 14% o adults reportin they yaised drugs ithin the past year. The figure is heichest amang thae aged 16–34, whaur it ranges atween 26% tae 27%.

The findins frae the 2023 Scottish Health Survey pent a complex picture o health in Scotland, showcasein baith alarmin trends an areas o improvement. The statistics serve as a caa tae action for health organisations an policymakkers tae address risin obesity rates, fuid insecurity, an mental health challenges tae improve oweraw weelbein in the population. The fu results an key indicators are accessible via the Scottish Health Survey Dashboard, providin valuable insichts for NHS health boords an local authorities.