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Meeting of the Parliament 17 May 2012

17 May 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Physical Activity

Paterson, Gil SNP Clydebank and Milngavie Watch on SPTV

Obesity is a highly complex matter and a difficult subject to tackle, due to the number of factors that are involved. If we had a simple cause, we would have a simple solution. Two of the main causes of obesity are the type of food that is eaten and the overconsumption of food.

It is difficult to define the facts in relation to that simple statement, however. For instance, those who exert themselves in physical exercise or sport can eat more, but they must pay close attention to what they digest and when. That is because there must be a balance between eating and exercise, as well as the need to eat at regular intervals. If that does not happen, the balance of weight can go hopelessly wrong, even for top athletes.

One of the major challenges is the eating habits and exercise of children today. Again, that is not just about what they eat and when, although that is vital. The food must also be healthy. Another important aspect of today’s eating habits is the manner in which children and adults consume their food. How many of us have our meals sitting in front of the television at irregular intervals, rather than eating at the table in an organised manner at roughly the same time every day? That sounds easy to achieve, but working parents find that time is not on their side with regard to organising such regular meals.

We must also contend with the modern entertainment that is so readily available to children. There is wall to wall children’s television, most of which is highly entertaining and highly successful in attracting audiences, from very young children to young adults. Children can also sit on the sofa with their hand-held consoles, game choices for which run into the tens of thousands and cater for practically everyone from cradle to grave.

My daughter, who attends gymnastics three days a week, still has her eye firmly fixed on her Nintendo DS. She can master that at the same time as playing the part of Hannah Montana as she recites songs sung on TV by the US star. It takes her mum or me to encourage other pursuits to prevent overindulgence, so I know that such matters are difficult for many families.

However, if we can take steps to make a difference and tackle long-term obesity, perhaps we can have some success with our children, as they are more likely to react positively if the message is consistent and the messenger is a person to be trusted. The starting point must therefore be with parents, guardians and schools. When it comes to schools, without a doubt a great passport to avoiding obesity is sport and exercise. It is good to know that 55 per cent of primary schools get two hours of PE per week, which compares with only 5 per cent of primary schools in 2005. Meanwhile, 60 per cent of secondary school pupils get at least two periods of PE a week. As has been highlighted, we must go further and do much better than we do now. I therefore welcome the assistance and support from sportscotland, which will add £3.4 million. That is bound to help to reach 100 per cent of pupils, a target that members certainly all want to achieve.

We must explain the consequences of obesity to the responsible persons in a child’s life. There is the real prospect of very serious health conditions, such as diabetes, which can cause blindness and loss of limbs. I am fairly certain that many parents are completely unaware of the dangers involved in obesity in children and that they have no idea that they are literally feeding their children to death and, at the same time, not encouraging them to do at least the minimum amount of sport or exercise.

Unfortunately, the statistics show that unhealthy parents who are overweight or obese are likely to have overweight or obese children, so we also need the parents to participate in sport and exercise.

However, it should not be only doom and gloom stories that are portrayed. The benefits gained from tackling obesity and winning over it should be the overriding goal and target. It should not be about just how children look, but how they feel about themselves. Losing their extra weight will breed confidence and will benefit not only their health, but their outlook in life and their future prospects. I believe that girls, who may be mothers, will respond positively to the message that they can look forward to being an adult, to a healthy life and to bringing children of their own into the world.

It is just possible that the children can lead the way. If we can get it right with our children, perhaps they will lead their parents to a better, healthier life.

15:52

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Meeting of the Parliament 17 May 2012

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