‘Healthy plea’ to takeaways
A MOTION urging takeaway restaurants to provide healthier options is to be put before Glasgow City Council.
The Scottish Conservatives are to raise the issue in a bid to cut down obesity.
TAKE-AWAY joints are being urged to provide healthy alternatives to young people across Glasgow in a bid to reduce the amount of fast food they eat.
Glasgow City Council’s Conservative group will bring forward a motion at this week’s full council meeting to encourage members of opposing parties to recognise the impact a poor diet has on a young person’s health.
They want to make sure councillors aware that children from deprived backgrounds are more likely to eat unhealthy food for lunch as fast food outlets are spreading throughout their communities.
Research shows that the risk of obesity is almost double in primary one children from poorer areas with Scotland continuing to suffer from among the highest mortality inequality rates in Europe.
According to experts people living in more affluent areas are expected to live up to 15 years longer.
The Scottish Government has already released the document “A Healthier Future – Scotland’s Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan” which gives advice on how to reduce diet-relate health inequalities.
Conservative MSP Brian Whittle has also launched his “Healthy Lifestyle Strategy” including a trial programme to make fresh food and vegetables more available inside and outside schools.
The issue will be discussed on Thursday.
Depute Conservative Leader Councillor Thomas Kerr said: “I am delighted to be proposing a motion calling for this council to investigate the impact of fast food takeaways on our high streets and around our schools.
“Growing up in the East End of Glasgow I witnessed first-hand the damage that a lack of nutritious meals has on our deprived communities.
“In parts of my ward it is easier to find a shop that sells burgers and kebabs than it is to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.
“Fast food is more appealing but we want our young people to be able to choose a pasta salad over chips.
“I believe the people of this city deserve the chance to make healthier choices and am looking forward to crossparty cooperation on this issue in the interest of all Glaswegians.”
If the motion is approved council officers will be instructed to put together a report on how best to improve the health choices for all Glaswegians, particularly those from deprived areas, by reducing the over provision of fast food takeaways on high streets and near local schools.
It is hoped the information will be brought before the wellbeing, empowerment, community and citizen engagement city policy committee within the next six months.