The SNP Government has launched its Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan, which contains a number of measures to restrict the promotion and advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
Restrictions on promoting unhealthy food, support for pregnant women, and nutrition training for services working with families are among actions to improve healthy weight in Scotland.
Actions to tackle childhood obesity will start pre-pregnancy and continue throughout school years and into adolescence. They will include measures to support children, young people and families to achieve a healthy weight, and training for frontline staff in services that work with them.
The plan sets out five outcomes, each supported by a range of actions:
Children have the best start in life – they eat well and have a healthy weight
The food environment supports healthier choices
People have access to effective weight management
Leaders across all sectors promote healthy diet and weight
Diet-related health inequalities are reduced
Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick commented:
“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.
“Giving children the best possible start in life is one of this SNP Government’s key priorities. We’ve pledged to halve childhood obesity by 2030 and that ambition is at the heart of our delivery plan. I am proud to publish it at the start of National Childhood Obesity Week.
“But this is not just about children; two-thirds of adults in Scotland are overweight, and I want everyone, across all sectors including government, citizens, the public and third sectors and businesses to play their part in achieving our bold vision to significantly reduce health inequalities.”
Kenneth Gibson added:
“The SNP Government recognises that we need to find a sustainable way to become healthier, which will lead to people being happier but ultimately, also reduced pressures on NHS Ayrshire & Arran and beyond.
“This delivery plan will have a significant impact on public health in Scotland and I am particularly pleased that North Ayrshire is one of the three local authorities that has been chosen as a partner to develop and champion a whole-systems approach to diet and weight.
“To ensure that the steps taken are proportionate and deliver beneficial outcomes, the SNP Government will also launch a public consultation this autumn on detailed plans to restrict the promotion and marketing of junk food within premises where these foods are sold to the public. I will encourage everyone across North Ayrshire to participate in that when it becomes available.”
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