Scots get serious about childhood obesity

A £6 million programme has been pledged to tackle Scotland's obesity crisis, the money will be spread over a three year period with much of it earmarked to establish weight-treatment programmes aimed at children between 5 to 15.

The Scottish Government says the money will be placed in the hands of health boards who will decide how to target children who will benefit most.

The Government says the money will help at least 20,000 overweight and obese children and is part and parcel of efforts to tackle health inequalities.

Childhood obesity in Scotland has been a growing problem in recent years and research last year revealed that 21 per cent of all Primary 1 children were overweight: 8.8 per cent were classed as obese and 4.3 per cent as severely obese and the figures were were higher still in deprived areas.

The programmes will apparently be "family-focused" and encourage overweight children to learn about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity, but will also address the psychological, social and behavioural causes of weight gain.

The programmes are expected to include cooking lessons, consultations with dieticians and sessions that aim to make exercise more enjoyable.

According to Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon the growing problem of obesity, in particular childhood obesity, is affecting all sectors of society.

Ms Sturgeon says chronic health conditions associated with obesity, such as coronary heart disease, are more prevalent in deprived communities and it is in less affluent areas where accessing affordable, healthy food is difficult and where have opportunities to be active are limited.

The news comes at an opportune time as international experts are gathering in Edinburgh this week to discuss tackling health inequalities.

The conference has drawn politicians and health professionals from across the UK, Europe and North America, including Canada, the United States, Estonia and Finland.

Experts have welcomed the extra funding for obesity but say such programmes must be done in a sensitive manner and must involve the whole family.

However Scotland's obesity problems are not confined to children; recently revealed figures show the latest annual NHS bill for prescriptions for obesity treatments in Scotland was £4.89 million.