Hansard

Obesity is a major problem in Scotland. We have one of the highest rates of obesity—only the United States of America and Mexico have higher levels. The latest Scottish Government figures, in 2010, show that 27.4 per cent of those aged 16 to 64 were considered obese, which is a rise of 10.2 per cent since 1995. On average, the percentages were slightly higher for children. According to the Scottish health survey, 32.5 per cent of children had a BMI outwith the healthy range.

More worryingly, “Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Scotland” estimates that by 2030, 40 per cent of the adult population in Scotland will be obese. Obesity not only increases the risk of diabetes but leads to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks. The projected increases by 2030 in all of those show concerning trends. Furthermore, there is the pressure on the health service’s resources. The report estimates that NHS costs will have doubled by 2030. I am sure that the scale of the problem is clear to everyone in the chamber. The real issue is what we can do to reverse those trends so that the 2030 predictions do not come to pass.

Physical activity is important, but it is not the only way to tackle obesity. First, we need to raise awareness of the issue. The recent growing up in Scotland study found that nine out of 10 parents with obese or overweight children did not recognise that there was a problem. That is a worrying statistic and would seem to suggest that we are failing to raise awareness and educate parents effectively so that they raise the next generation to have healthy eating habits and active lifestyles.

Secondly, we need to promote the benefits of breastfeeding. Audit Scotland’s 2010-11 overview of the NHS showed that many NHS services were failing to meet breastfeeding targets. It is clear that more work needs to be done in that area to encourage and promote breastfeeding.

A recent study carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute in Ireland found that

“children who had been breast-fed for three to six months were 38 per cent less likely to be obese at nine years of age compared to exclusively formula-fed children. Those breast-fed for six months or more were 51 per cent less likely to be obese.”

Numerous studies throughout the world have come to the same conclusion. We need to do more to promote breastfeeding in Scotland.

Continuing the catch-them-young theme, the jumpstart programme run by NHS Ayrshire and Arran holds activities all around Ayrshire for kids aged from five to 15, encouraging them to eat more healthily and exercise more. Starting at five means that those children develop healthier lifestyles that become the norm, and they take that with them throughout their lives. Jumpstart is a 10-week programme that consists of a range of fun activities and allows the children to make new friends. Parents, too, benefit by discussing ideas, sharing tips and getting tailor-made programmes to use at home for their child. Once they have completed the course, children who took part get a free pass for a local leisure centre for six months.

So far the programme has been a great success. As of November 2011, 550 children and young people have taken part, and the numbers have been increasing. The spin-off is that parents are getting involved and learning about obesity and the associated problems, too.

The successful jumpstart programme’s popularity was spread mainly through word of mouth. Programmes such as that, which raise awareness and help tackle obesity, could reach many more young people if we put more effort into promoting them.

The forthcoming Commonwealth games offer an excellent opportunity to develop activity programmes and raise awareness of obesity, but we must ensure that all parts of Scotland benefit, rather than focusing solely on areas where the games are taking place.

I welcome the minister’s announcements today. However, the Government is failing to meet its pre-election pledge from the 2007 Scottish National Party manifesto, in which it promised to

“ensure that every pupil has 2 hours of quality PE each week delivered by specialist PE teachers.”

In November 2010, it was reported that only 55 per cent of primary school children and 23 per cent of secondary 1 to secondary 4 pupils were getting that amount of PE, and that, in most cases, it was not being delivered by specialist PE teachers.

Despite the Government pulling money from the education budget and sportscotland to provide local authorities with additional resources, that pledge has now been watered down to just two periods per week for S1 to S4 pupils.

We all understand that money is tight, but it would make more sense to spend to save: to be more efficient in supporting and promoting healthy and active lifestyles, and in so doing to reduce obesity.

We cannot afford to fail, and we need to do more to ensure that we prevent the 2030 predictions from coming true.