FOOD poverty is forcing some Glaswegians into a downward spiral of stress and depression, says the city's top doctor.

Director of Public Health, Linda De Caestecker fears that the impact of having to turn to foodbanks for handouts on the mental health of those who are desperate is a bigger concern than the physical effects of deprivation.

The stigma of poverty and prejudice faced by some desperate people is forcing them even further into a rut, she told the Evening Times.

Thousands of men, women and children across the city have been forced to use foodbanks.

The figures have risen steeply over the last year as families' budgets are cut, with welfare reforms and benefits sanctions being cited as reasons most people visit foodbanks.

The Trussell Trust, who have four foodbanks in the city, fed 913,138 people - including 330,205 children nationwide - last year. But this is just be the tip of the iceberg and as it is estimated that there are around 50 foodbanks in total across the city, many of which are run independently by community groups and churches.

Without a coordinated collation of figures, the true scale of food poverty in the city is unknown.

Dr de Caestecker said: "I think in some ways the stress and depression felt by people who have, for example had benefits sanctions imposed and have been forced to use a foodbank, is the bigger health risk.

"They feel prejudice against them and have to cope with the stigma of being poor.

"People assuming things about them because they are poor.

"They can lose self respect and self esteem, which can be very difficult when you are applying for jobs as a way out of the situation."

She added that there can also be added health implications and said: "There is evidence linking stress to cardiovascular illness like heart disease and stroke.

"If you are stressed you are not going to look after your health.

"You are more likely to adopt health risky behaviours."

Rather than seeing more people who are malnourished and underweight because of food poverty, levels of obesity are rising in areas of deprivation, she added.

As cheaper food tends to be higher in sugar, salt and calories, it is causing people to gain weight.

Dr de Caestecker said: "Cheap food, like ready made meals, tend to be higher in calories, salt and filling. But this makes them unhealthy.

"We are not seeing people who are malnourished and underweight. These people may be at more risk of obesity.

"We have not seen a reduction in obesity levels and we are seeing that it is more prominent in deprived groups."

The 'Glasgow Effect' shows strong links between poverty and ill health in the city.

Deprivation levels are on a par with cities like Manchester and Liverpool but death rates are higher, because of the dangers of unhealthy life styles.

Dr de Caestecker, who is on the board of Glasgow City Mission, had been volunteering with the charity over 10 years.

She has first hand experience of the desperation faced by local people and said more must be done to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

She said: "People living in poverty pay more for things like gas and electricity, if this is on a meter, and they can't always take advantage of spreading the cost of things via direct debit.

"I think there need to be some major societal changes to tackle the very serious issues of poverty.

"We need a better living wage for those in work and more benefits for those who cannot."

Over the last three years NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has, with support from the Scottish Government, contracted a team of money advice workers called Income Maximisers.

Working closely with NHS staff, they have helped families to get the most out of their income, with the aim of improving long-term health, and helped them access more than £4.5 million in missed income.

Service users are given a range of advice, such as getting the most out of a household income, helping them register for benefits and help to apply for one-off grants or loans.

At the end of last year, the Income Maximiser service had received over 5000 referrals.

The Glasgow Centre for Population Health predicts that UK child poverty will rise to 24% 2020, resulting in an additional 50,000 children in Scotland living in poverty.

They recommend the wider use of this project across Scotland and the need to consider a new fund to promote financial security and tackle poverty.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has decided to expand this service and staff from Early Years, health improvement and money advice will continue to work to address child poverty, including dealing with the current referrals, which are averaging around 200 a month.

linzi.watson@eveningtimes.co.uk