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Health

Extra £40m to reduce Scotland's obesity problem

23/06/2008

An extra £40 million of funding has been announced by the Scottish government to reduce obesity in Scotland.

The additional money takes the total funds to reduce the number of obese people to over £56 million.

Ministers hope the money will help to improve people's diet and encourage them to exercise.

Over the next three years £19 million will be geared towards improving the diets of women of child bearing age, pregnant women and children aged under five in disadvantaged areas.

In schools the funding will increase opportunities for sports, dance and healthy cooking projects.

Adults in the workplace will also be targeted - interactive workplace tools will help employees keep track of changes in their weight and receive health advice.

"Obesity is one of the problems that, like climate change, does not have a simple solution and requires a new way of thinking," said public health minister Shona Robison.

"If we successfully tackle obesity then we will reduce ill-health, and a healthier Scotland is vital for sustaining and growing our economy and securing our communities as vibrant places to live.

"This is about providing people with more opportunity to take control of their own health."