Health charities have welcomed the Scottish Government's Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan
Scotland’s masterplan to tackle the nation’s obesity crisis has been unveiled.
Restrictions on unhealthy food promotions, nutritional support for pregnant women and training for groups that work with families are amongst the proposals included in the Scottish Government’s Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan.
A focus has been given to cutting childhood obesity – with two thirds of Scottish adults overweight and no reductions reported in this figure over the past decade.
The strategy aims to ensure children eat well from an early age, that support is there to help people make healthier choices, that weight management is readily available to Scots, that all sectors promote healthy eating and that health inequalities are tackled.
Public health minister Joe Fitzpatrick – who launched the plan at Bridgend Inspiring Growth in Edinburgh - said the government is committed to halving childhood obesity by 2030.
He said: “Far too many people in Scotland face serious risks to their health linked to poor diet and unhealthy weight. This is unacceptable and it’s largely avoidable. Scotland has a proud history of taking decisive action on public health and this is the next step in that journey, turning our attention to the nation’s diet and weight.”
The plans have been welcomed by health charities who have been involved in the preparation of the strategy.
Professor Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK’s cancer prevention expert, based at the University of Stirling, said: “We are pleased that the Scottish Government has launched its ambitious diet and healthy weight plan. Obesity is the biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking and so bold action is needed.
“It’s positive news that the Scottish Government will consult on plans to restrict the price promotions that are fuelling the nation’s obesity crisis, but it is vital that these plans lead to laws that restrict these promotions.
“Price promotions play a significant part in what families choose to put into their shopping basket, with over half of confectionary bought in Scotland because it was on special offer.”
The British Psychological Society also welcomed the plans. Chair Beth Hannah said: “The society responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation earlier this year, calling for both environmental and individual factors to be understood and tackled. It is encouraging to see commitments to better equip parents with advice and support and further explore how weight based stigma can have an effect on our young people’s mental health
“We look forward to seeing these steps implemented and welcome the commitment to further consult on restricting the promotion of junk food later this autumn. Together, these actions will help transform the current food environment in Scotland and will support all of us to live better and healthier lives.”
