Addressing obesity time for real change

21 Jan 2016

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow believes that 2016 can be the year Scotland addresses obesity’s crushing impact on our population’s health.

It welcomes today’s (20 January) call for action by Food Standards Scotland to confront some of the root causes of obesity. This includes action to regulate the promotion of food and drink and the introduction of a sugar tax amongst other measures.

Obesity Action Scotland has called for further action to tackle advertising and marketing of food and drink, improved labelling of sugar content in foods, and a providing a framework for monitoring progress.

President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Professor David Galloway, said, "The prevalence of obesity and unhealthy overweight is a major public health crisis. The problem affects more than half of the adult population in the UK. It can have profound physical, mental and social implications and has a direct effect on both quality of life and life expectancy. These issues are more prominent than ever despite previous calls for action. 2016 is the time for real change. Food Standards Scotland and Obesity Action Scotland have proposed direct measures to tackle the problem head on. We have a real opportunity in Scotland to demonstrate global leadership and deliver meaningful change for the benefit of current and future generations."

Obesity Action Scotland’s statement is published on their website.

Access the board paper from Food Standards Scotland

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