WIREDGOV

Public Health Minister Shona Robison today launched a strategy aimed at tackling Scotland's 'Obesity Time Bomb'.

The 'Preventing Overweight and Obesity' document warns that if action is not taken, by 2030 nearly four in ten Scots will be obese - costing Scottish society up to £3 billion a year. A cost so large that it will directly impact on our nation's ability to achieve sustainable economic growth.

The strategy, a joint publication with COSLA, reveals that in today's society weight gain is almost inevitable and unveils ambitious plans to work across every area of Government to make healthy choices easier. This includes:

• Working with retailers, producers and the food industry to control exposure to, demand for and consumption of high calorie foods and drinks
• Using planning legislation to increase opportunities for walking, cycling and other physical activity in our daily lives
• Working with schools to continue encouraging young people to take up healthy habits
• Working with businesses to encourage their employees to eat healthily and be more active

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:

"Obesity is a huge threat to Scotland's future and we are committed to tackling this. No country in the world has successfully addressed obesity - and we want Scotland to be the first.

"Obesity currently costs Scotland over £457 million a year. If we do not address this epidemic now it is estimated that this figure could reach over £3 billion a year.

"We cannot expect people to be able to change their behaviour alone as the environment we live in today means that for most people weight gain becomes almost inevitable. Excellent work is already underway but we have to go further and make serious changes that will transform our entire living environment.

"We plan to work across all areas of Government to ensure that policies are directed at supporting people to achieve and then maintain a healthy weight"

'Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Scotland - A Route Map Towards Healthy Weight' was published on 22 February 2009.

Examples of what will be done are:

• Work to ensure portion sizes better reflect consumers' energy needs
• Work with the retail industry to make sure that promotional activity on food and drink promotes healthy eating
• Work to expand the range of healthier choices in convenience stories and remove confectionary displays from till points
• Explore measures to restrict the amount of high calorie foods sold near schools

• Ensuring that personal travel opportunities is a high priority in all land development plans and development management decisions
• Provide safe routes to schools for children who wish to cycle or walk

• Encourage employers to support staff in adopting more active means of travelling to and from work

Next steps:

• A series of national events will be organised by the Scottish Public Health Network in May to allow organisations from all sectors an opportunity to be involved in how the policies detailed in the 'Preventing Overweight and Obesity' document are implemented
• A joint governmental leadership group will meet after the summer to endorse a plan of action and agree key milestones that will be used to monitor delivery.