New figures show childhood obesity's on the rise in Scotland

We're hearing Scotland's heading "in completely the wrong direction" when it comes to tackling childhood obesity.

Campaigners are stepping up calls for urgent action, after new figures show it's affecting more children.

That's despite a Scottish Government pledge in 2018, to half the rates to 7% by 2030.

Latest figures show it's risen to 18 percent.

Obesity Action Scotland say recent figures indicate that Scotland's unlikely to achieve the ambition, with rates increasing in recent years.

Data from the 2021 Scottish Health Survey reports that 18% of children are now at risk of obesity, which represents a 4% increase from the 2016 baseline, and moves us even further away from achieving the ambition by 2030.

Lorraine Tulloch, Programme Lead of Obesity Action Scotland said:

“The Scottish Government made a commitment to halve childhood obesity by 2030 however we are heading in completely the wrong direction. That isn’t good enough. We need to ensure our children’s health is prioritised and we provide the environments needed to maintain a healthy weight.

Action by the Scottish Government to tackle the pervasive marketing of foods high in fat, sugar and salt could ensure that the places where we shop and eat put the healthy options centre stage. We call on the Scottish Government to introduce the Bill to restrict the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar and salt as soon as possible. This Bill has been promised since 2018 and is now urgently needed to protect children’s health”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said:

“Ensuring Scotland is a place where children eat well, have a healthy weight and are physically active remains a public health priority. Our Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan sets out ambitious and wide-ranging action to address this challenge, including our aim to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

“We are actively considering a range of approaches to tackle the health harms, that includes progressing the legislation necessary to restrict promotions of foods high in fat, sugar or salt.

“We consulted on proposals to restrict promotions of less healthy food and drink where they are sold to the public. Our consultation is now closed and responses are being analysed to help inform the development of this policy.”

Hear all the latest news from across the North of Scotland on MFR. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.