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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Bid to tackle 'obesity time bomb' | Bid to tackle 'obesity time bomb' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Scottish government has announced details of its new strategy to tackle obesity. | |
| The move comes in the wake of a report which said the country was "sitting on an obesity time bomb" which could cost the economy £3bn a year. | The move comes in the wake of a report which said the country was "sitting on an obesity time bomb" which could cost the economy £3bn a year. |
| It said cases of obesity could double, with 40% of Scots classed as obese by 2030, if things do not change. | It said cases of obesity could double, with 40% of Scots classed as obese by 2030, if things do not change. |
| Public Health Minister Shona Robison launched the strategy at a school in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire. | |
| The document outlines how the problem should be addressed, through work with food producers, employers and schools. | |
| Launching the campaign, Ms Robison said: "Obesity is a huge threat to Scotland's future and we are committed to tackling this. | |
| This is not simply a health issue, nor can we expect individuals to change behaviour entirely on their own Nicola Sturgeon MSP Health Secretary | |
| "No country in the world has successfully addressed obesity - and we want Scotland to be the first." | |
| Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland was "in the grip of an obesity epidemic". | Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland was "in the grip of an obesity epidemic". |
| Currently, an estimated 3,400 people die as a direct result of obesity every year and deaths are predicted to rise. | Currently, an estimated 3,400 people die as a direct result of obesity every year and deaths are predicted to rise. |
| The government report also highlighted the costs of dealing with Scotland's weight problem. | The government report also highlighted the costs of dealing with Scotland's weight problem. |
| It said by 2030 the cost of obesity will jump from an estimated £457m to £3bn a year. | It said by 2030 the cost of obesity will jump from an estimated £457m to £3bn a year. |
| The cost of treating conditions linked to obesity, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, is currently estimated at £175m - the equivalent of 2% of NHS Scotland's entire revenue budget. | The cost of treating conditions linked to obesity, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, is currently estimated at £175m - the equivalent of 2% of NHS Scotland's entire revenue budget. |
| 'Vital difference' | |
| Indirect costs, such as sickness absence, are estimated at £282m to the taxpayer. | Indirect costs, such as sickness absence, are estimated at £282m to the taxpayer. |
| Ms Sturgeon said the £3bn-a-year figure would "directly impact on our nation's ability to achieve sustainable economic growth". | Ms Sturgeon said the £3bn-a-year figure would "directly impact on our nation's ability to achieve sustainable economic growth". |
| She said that the current NHS spend on treating obesity could "make a vital difference to other areas of the health service". | She said that the current NHS spend on treating obesity could "make a vital difference to other areas of the health service". |
| Ms Sturgeon added: "Initiatives are already under way to help prevent obesity but we need to do much more. | Ms Sturgeon added: "Initiatives are already under way to help prevent obesity but we need to do much more. |
| "This is not simply a health issue, nor can we expect individuals to change behaviour entirely on their own. | "This is not simply a health issue, nor can we expect individuals to change behaviour entirely on their own. |
| "The solution lies in changing our entire environment from one that promotes weight gain to one that supports healthy choices." | "The solution lies in changing our entire environment from one that promotes weight gain to one that supports healthy choices." |