Annie Anderson, Professor of Food Choice at the University of Dundee has welcomed the Scottish Executive's new campaign on healthy eating today but warns that a new diet must be accompanied by more exercise and affordable foods to improve people's general health.
She explains: "The Executive has launched an innovative and exciting campaign with easy to use resources such as a helpline and website. This approach however must be tied in with measures to improve food choice. Healthy food such as fruit and vegetables need to be affordable and accessible for people in all communities. Food that is good for us also needs to be culturally acceptable. Which teenager will choose salad when all their friends are having chips for lunch?
Half the population of Scotland is overweight and January is the time when most people start to diet. Sensible eating accompanied by an increase in physical activity is the best way to improve health and prevent further weight gain."
Contact Professor Annie Anderson 01382 660111 ext 36442
By Jenny Marra, Press Officer 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk