Child obesity to be cut by 2030 pledges Nicola Sturgeon after meeting Jamie Oliver
NICOLA STURGEON has pledged to slash child obesity by half within the next 12 years. The First Minister announced the new 2030 target as she met celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who has praised her government’s planned crackdown on junk food.
Jamie Oliver calls for permanent sugar tax to tackle obesity
Latest figures show 29 per cent of Scottish children are at risk of being overweight, and 14 per cent are at risk of being obese.
Children as young as two are among the thousands of youngsters referred to obesity specialists.
The Scottish Government will set the target in a healthy weight and diet plan, due to be published in the summer.
It is looking at new laws new laws to curb the consumption of goods high in salt, sugar or fat.
Proposals include a ban on in-store junk food promotions such as multi-buy offers, and portion controls and calorie labelling in restaurants and takeaways.
Miss Sturgeon said obesity and unhealthy eating is “a serious public health issue which cannot be ignored”.
She added: “Evidence shows obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and become more likely to suffer health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.
“Our guiding ambition is to halve child obesity in Scotland by 2030 and we’ll outline in our forthcoming healthy weight plan how we will develop the necessary actions to achieve this, and help everybody make healthy choices about food.”
Oliver, who has campaigned for a sugar tax on all fizzy drinks and healthier school meals, has previously hailed the Scottish Government’s “trailblazing” crackdown.
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Today he said the target shows Miss Sturgeon “cares” about youngsters’ health adding: “We look forward to seeing her strong multi-layered strategy."
Ministers are also planning a ban on junk food adverts near schools, children’s attractions and public transport, as well as lobbying Westminster to stop junk food TV adverts before 9pm.
Business leaders have warned some of the proposals may hit “hard-pressed” households by driving up prices.
But doctors are pressing for even tougher curbs on “fast food sold at pocket money prices”.
Dr Donald MacGregor, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “We’d like them to protect child health by preventing new fast food outlets such as chicken shops and chip shops opening within close proximity to schools and colleges.”