Nibbles

New home for healthyliving award on the cards

The UK government recently announced UK-wide reforms to consumer advocacy, and as part of this our host organisation, Consumer Focus Scotland, is being restructured to represent consumers in the regulated markets of energy, water and postal services. As a result, negotiations are well advanced in finding a new home for the healthyliving award.

The award is still in the early stages of a three year Scottish Government funding package and so despite a move to a new organisation it will very much be business as usual as we continue to deliver the award. We will ensure everyone is informed at the earliest opportunity when more detailed information becomes available.

News bites

Cancer prevention – can you help?

By Professor Annie S Anderson, Professor of Public Health Nutrition, Centre for Research into Cancer Prevention and Screening

Cancer is reckoned to be the number one fear of the general public.  Most of us at one time or other have donated to cancer research.   There is however, a big challenge in cancer prevention which is the difficult question of what we can do to act on the evidence that billions of research funding has discovered.

Worldwide, there is now enough evidence(1) to show that, in addition to smoking cessation, 42% of breast cancer and 43% of bowel  cancer could be prevented in the UK by changes in physical activity, diet, alcohol and obesity (World Cancer Research Fund, 2009). 

In Scotland, 78% of adults have yet to meet five a day of fruit and vegetables, more than 67% of women and 55% men do not yet reach 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week and over 60% of Scots are overweight or obese. In non–smokers, obesity is thought to be the main modifiable risk factor for avoiding cancer.

Scottish workplaces and businesses have been generous to cancer charities, but is there also the possibility that workers might be able to support people to make changes in diet, activity and weight control to put research evidence into action? Could workplaces take on that challenge of avoiding worker weight gain?

Everyone recognises that losing weight is tricky, but actually the first step is making sure that whatever weight someone is now, they should avoid further weight gain. Avoiding weight gain means being physically active, and in a working day taking a 10 minute brisk walk is the best starting point. Healthy food choices starting with vegetables, fruits and wholegrains is also an important first step.

Many families have experienced cancer and many working people are living with cancer. Helping people to make changes to lifestyle helps everyone increase their chance of remaining cancer free.

If you are interested in cancer prevention in Scotland see the Scottish Cancer Prevention Network website at http://www.cancerpreventionscotland.co.uk/ or sign up now for free quarterly newsletters by emailing  a.s.anderson@dundee.ac.uk. 

  • (1) World Cancer Research Fund / AICR (2009). Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention. Food, nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. AICR: Washington, DC
Table talk

Portion sizes – free report

The IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) has published a free report which summarises the current evidence in relation to portion sizes and consumption behaviour and makes recommendations for future research.

The report by IGD’s Industry Nutrition Strategy Group documents some of the informal influences on portion size from an industry perspective, obtained from interviews with major manufacturers, retailers and foodservice companies.

Based on this information, the report makes recommendations on the research needed to provide the industry with evidence to support any action on portion size aimed at reducing calorie intake.

Read more and download the report here: www.healthylivingaward.co.uk/free-download-on-portion-sizes-from-igd/

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issue twenty-four:
November 2012
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The healthyliving awardNHS Health Scotland - Scotland's health improvement agencyHealthier Scotland - Scottish GovernmentHealthier Scotland - Scottish Government