This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8526187.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
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 Scottish government has announced a plan to work with the food industry, business and schools to try to tackle Scotland's obesity "timebomb".
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 as a report suggested 40% of the population could be classed as obese by 2030.
It said cases of obesity could double, with 40% of Scots classed as obese by 2030, if things do not change. Launching the strategy, Public Health Minister Shona Robison said the issue was a huge threat to Scotland's future.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison launched the strategy at a school in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire. It was estimated that if things did not change, the problem could cost Scottish society £3bn a year.
The document outlines how the problem should be addressed, through work with food producers, employers and schools. The environment we live in today means that for most people weight gain becomes almost inevitable Shona RobisonPublic Health Minister
Launching the campaign, Ms Robison said: "Obesity is a huge threat to Scotland's future and we are committed to tackling this. The Scottish government has warned of an "obesity time bomb" which could have an impact on the country's economic growth.
This is not simply a health issue, nor can we expect individuals to change behaviour entirely on their own Nicola Sturgeon MSP Health Secretary Ms Robison said: "Obesity currently costs Scotland over £457m a year.
"No country in the world has successfully addressed obesity - and we want Scotland to be the first." "If we do not address this epidemic now it is estimated that this figure could reach over £3bn a year.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland was "in the grip of an obesity epidemic". "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."
Currently, an estimated 3,400 people die as a direct result of obesity every year and deaths are predicted to rise. Reduce portions
The government report also highlighted the costs of dealing with Scotland's weight problem. The strategy set out plans to work with the food industry to control exposure to high calorie drinks and foods.
It said by 2030 the cost of obesity will jump from an estimated £457m to £3bn a year. It suggested removing sweets from the till point in shops and increasing the range of healthier choices in convenience stores.
Another aim is to help businesses to encourage their staff to eat healthily and be more active, and to work with schools to promote healthy habits.
But Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum said the root causes of the problem needed to be addressed.
He said: "We have too much food now on the supermarket shelves which is too high in salt and fat and sugar.
"Until that comes down to reasonable levels I think the average housewife going to do her shopping will be picking up stuff which is not altogether healthy and if they pick up that kind of food then the problem of obesity will persist."
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".
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.
"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."