Following an official comparison of the four home nations, Scotland has been named the sick man after finding higher levels of smoking, drinking, obesity and disease north of the border.

The study was done for SNP ministers and it found that a large proportion of Scots have heart disease or diabetes as compared to people in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The consumption of alcohol by men and women in Scotland was much higher than south of the Border whereas a larger percentage of both genders smoke.

The consumption of fruit and vegetable was ‘significantly lower’ among Scots while only a fifth of men and a quarter of women eating their recommended five portions a day.

“Scotland historically has an appalling health record. For generations, far too many people have died before their time with our culture of poor diet, heavy drinking and smoking all taking their toll,” said Shona Robison, Scottish Public Health minister.

Jamie Stone, Scottish Liberal Democrat public health spokesman, said: “The Scottish government has to tackle the root causes of obesity. Scotland doesn’t have to be the sick man of the UK.”