Sturgeon unveils drive to halve kid obesity by 2030
Obesity is a serious issue which cannot be ignored FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON
NICOLA Sturgeon was hailed as “caring” by TV chef Jamie Oliver as she set the goal of reducing childhood obesity by 50 per cent in the next 12 years.
The Scottish Government will formally include the ambition in their Healthy Weight and Diet plan, which is due to be published this summer.
The First Minister announced the move as she met Oliver – who has campaigned to make school dinners healthier – to discuss childhood obesity and healthy eating.
Oliver said: “Nicola Sturgeon has shown she cares about the health of Scotland’s kids by committing to halving childhood obesity in the next 12 years. We look forward to seeing her strong multi-layered strategy.”
Almost a third of Scots kids are at risk of being overweight, with 14 per cent at risk of obesity, according to figures.
Nine out of 10 people believe the rising number of Scots who are an unhealthy weight is a serious problem for the nation.
Sturgeon said: “Obesity is a serious public health issue which cannot be ignored. Evidence shows obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and become more likely to suffer health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.
“Our ambition is to halve child obesity in Scotland by 2030 and we’ll outline in our forthcoming Healthy Weight plan how we will develop the necessary actions to achieve this, and help everybody make healthy choices about food.”
Ministers at Holyrood have already consulted on plans to end cut-price deals on foods which are high in fat, salt and sugar, including a possible ban on multi-buy deals for junk food. They are also calling for a ban on TV advertising for unhealthy food and drinks before the 9pm watershed. They say if Westminster do not act on this, the Scottish Government will press for powers in this area to be devolved. Sturgeon said: “We will tackle junk food promotions and the marketing of unhealthy food, such as multi-buys.
“To ensure the steps we take are proportionate and deliver beneficial outcomes, we will consult widely with consumers, suppliers and retailers following the release of the new plan.
“Diet and activity go together and our plan will build on programmes like Scotland’s Daily Mile that encourage children to be more active, by helping them to improve diet and to ensure younger generations can live fit, healthy and active lives.”
Doctors welcomed the move, with British Medical Association Scotland chairman Peter Bennie saying: “Obesity is a major public health challenge that we must do far more to address in Scotland.
“Almost every doctor working in the NHS today will be dealing with patients who are overweight or obese and who will often have additional health needs as a result.
“A target to halve the rate of child obesity in Scotland is a strong ambition against which to measure progress, but achieving it will depend on what concrete steps we take.”
Caroline Cerny, of Obesity Health Alliance, said: “It’s great to see the Scottish Government making bold and much-needed commitments to reduce childhood obesity.”