Kenneth Gibson MSP encourages people across North Ayrshire to participate in the SNP Government’s consultation on tackling obesity, which is a major cause of ill-health in Scotland.
Tackling obesity has already been identified as a priority in the SNP Programme for Government with key commitments to limit the marketing of food high in fat, sugar and salt and provide more support for the 300,000 people in Scotland with type 2 diabetes to lose weight.
The SNP Government has announced funding of £42 million over the next 5 years to deliver this commitment.
The consultation document proposes a range of actions to improve diet and weight in Scotland. It draws on experience of implementing the Obesity Route Map, learning from tackling other public health challenges such as alcohol use and smoking, and a growing body of evidence on the action necessary to improve the health of the whole population.
Other proposals include action on junk food advertising, food purchases for consumption outside the home, preventative services including information, advice and support for children and families on healthy eating, practical support for small and medium sized food manufacturers to reformulate and develop healthier products, a range of opportunities for people to be more active and working with the public sector and a wide range of partners to support local improvement work on diet and weight.
Kenneth Gibson commented:
“The SNP Government wants to hear the views of a wide range of stakeholders on current proposals, priorities, implementation and what more should be done to tackle obesity.
“The evidence on how best to do this continues to develop so we regard this as a progressive plan of action on which we are open to new ideas and thinking.
“The Cross-Party Group on Scotland’s Health 2021 and Beyond, of which I am joint-convenor is also taking forward these issues.
“The consultation closes on 31 January 2018 and I would encourage people across North Ayrshire to make their views known before that date.”
The consultation can be found at:
ENDS
