The NatCen Blog

Here we’ll be talking about our research in the context of the latest news, opinion and
analysis through comments from our team of experts. We’d love to hear from you, so post comments or get in touch with us.

To keep up-to-date with our latest blog posts and reports, subscribe to our monthly newsletter. 

• Posted on 15 January 2018 by Diana Bardsley, Researcher ScotCen

  How to tackle obesity: the public's view

  The Scottish Government has recently suggested a variety of interventions aimed at improving Scotland’s diet in an attempt to reduce obesity. ScotCen’s Scottish Social Attitudes survey assesses public support for some of the proposed interventions. 

  Read the rest of this entry

  Tags: SSA, Scottish Government, Scottish Health Survey, Scottish Social Attitudes, diet, obesity

• Posted on 19 May 2016 by NatCen, Research

  NatCen Insights: Queen's Speech 2016

  

  Yesterday the Queen delivered the Government’s legislative plan for the upcoming Parliament. This blog draws on NatCen data to show where the public may stand on the new laws.

  Read the rest of this entry

  Tags: NHS, National Citizen Service, Wales, crime and justice, devolution, diet, education, extremism, housebuying, politics, tax, transport, universities

• Posted on 01 December 2014 by Lisa Rutherford, Research Director ScotCen

  Mind over platter – Positive Signs for Obesity in Scotland

  

  So just how big of a problem is obesity in Scotland? Each year, on the Scottish Health Survey, we weigh and measure around 5000 adults and nearly 2000 children, providing the most robust estimates there are of BMI in the Scottish population.

  Read the rest of this entry

  Tags: diet, health, obesity

• Posted on 16 October 2014

  World Food Day: the worldwide relationship between income and food

  Today is World Food Day. This year’s focus is on family farmers; a group crucial in resolving world hunger, but at risk of poor nutrition because of low earnings. Income doesn’t only have a bearing on nutritional intake in developing countries; we see a similar relationship in the UK.

  Read the rest of this entry

  Tags: diet, food, health, inequality, nutrition, World Food Day

• Posted on 21 February 2014

  What will the National Diet and Nutrition Survey tell us about our daily bread?

  This year will see the publication of the combined data from years 1 to 4 of the nationally (UK) representative National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). The results will provide information about diet and nutrient intakes and include results from analysis of blood and urine samples. When the latest results are published it will also put an end to a debate that has been dragging on for over 20 years.

  Read the rest of this entry

  Tags: National Diet and Nutrition Survey, diet, folic acid, folic acid in bread, Gary Boodhna, health, nutrition, pregnancy

• Posted on 05 November 2013

  Top tips for schools getting ready to deliver free school meals

  Hashim shares top tips from schools who took part in a free school meals pilot.

  Read the rest of this entry

  Tags: children, children's nutrition, diet, food, free school meals, health, healthy eating, nutrition, school dinners

• Posted on 22 March 2013 by Martin Mitchell, Research Director

  How can schools encourage children to lead healthier lifestyles?

  

  It seems you can’t go a day without hearing about Britain’s growing child obesity problem and its knock-on effects on health. One key response has been to encourage healthy lifestyles early on in schools with initiatives like the minimum nutritional standards. With celebs like Jamie Oliver wading in...

  Read the rest of this entry

  Tags: Healthy Schools Programme, children, diet, health, lifestyles, obesity, well-being