Whilst the Obesity Action Scotland welcomes the news that the Scottish Government are progressing to implement restrictions they are concerned about how long it is taking.
Five years ago the former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon committed to halve the rate of childhood obesity by 2030, but the most recent figures indicate that Scotland is unlikely to achieve that ambition. In fact, they show that rates of childhood obesity have actually increased in recent years.
Lorraine Tulloch, programme lead at Obesity Action Scotland, commented: “Every day in Scotland, junk food continues to be put centre stage in retail environments. As a consequence children’s health is impacted by rising rates of childhood obesity. The Scottish Government committed to another consultation. This consultation will be the fourth consultation on the issue of restricting promotions of junk food.
“We support them to take this action forward but we urge them to take it boldly and urgently. The Scottish Government first committed to action on this issue in 2018 and now in 2023 we are still awaiting the necessary legislative steps. All the time the likelihood of Scotland meeting its target of halving childhood obesity is reduced. Children deserve to live a life protected from the actions of a food industry that continues to put junk food in the spotlight.”