Only 11 per cent of people in Scotland feel healthy eating is important to them, a new poll reveals.
The poll, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), also found that Scots are more likely to eat unhealthily at weekends, with six per cent admitting they never think about healthy eating.
Given the increasing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the UK, these figures are particularly alarming.
Eating healthy foods and home-prepared meals are essential in warding off health complications, which is particularly the case for people with diabetes.
The survey of 1,000 UK residents found, however, that healthy eating is more of a focus among those born in the 1980s and 1990s.
A total of 20 per cent across the UK said healthy eating was important to them, and 47 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds made more of an effort to eat healthily than the previous year.
In contrast, this statistic was 41 per cent among 35 to 54-year-olds and 20 per cent for those over the age of 55.
“Most people want to mix and match, balancing healthy eating with the occasional indulgence,” said Eleanor Scott, director at PwC.
“Consumers are more likely to have healthy meals out during the week, driven by these being more everyday eating out occasions, and are more likely to treat themselves at weekends.
“In terms of eating out, 47 per cent of all consumers consider it important that a restaurant offers healthy options.”
Earlier this year, a report from the Food Commission recommended a national strategy that should provide every Scot with access to healthy and nutritious food.

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