Failure to tackle obesity ‘threatening country’s prosperity’

Scotland has “failed to turn the tide of obesity” despite major efforts to tackle diet and exercise over the last six years, according to top doctors.

Public health leaders have spoken out over soaring weight problems, which they said will have a significant impact on Scotland’s future prosperity.

Ministers announced a new blueprint for tackling obesity in 2010, but obesity campaigners have found progress in tackling poor diet and deprivation has been sluggish.

Members of Obesity Action Scotland (OAS) published a damning report card of the nation’s record yesterday, which found four out off six goals have not been met.

Dr Drew Walker, NHS Tayside’s public health director, who leads on obesity for the Scottish Directors of Public Health, said: “If we do not halt that epidemic, the physical and mental health of Scots will deteriorate, our health and social care services will struggle to cope … and children will be less likely to achieve their full potential.