An anti-obesity drive similar to schemes in France is to be trialled across Scotland with the aim of “bringing together” communities to tackle the problem, it has been announced.
The Healthy Weight Communities campaign will be piloted in eight areas after projects in France resulted in signs of curbed childhood obesity and maternal weight gain over eight years.
Government funding of £1.4m will support the eight areas involved, which are Armadale and Blackridge in West Lothian, Catrine in East Ayrshire, Barrhead in East Renfrewshire and Dumfries, as well as Dundee, Priesthill and Househillwood in south west Glasgow, Stevenston in North Ayrshire and Viewpark in North Lanarkshire.
The public health minister, Shona Robison, said Scotland could learn valuable lessons in tackling obesity from the French initiatives.
She said the campaign aimed to bring communities together in an effort to get residents eating more healthily and being more active.
The Healthy Weight Communities trials will include a vast array of measures to promote healthy lifestyles, from walking clubs and local gala days to breastfeeding support groups.
Ms Robison added that the NHS, councils and the voluntary and private sector would all play a part in the schemes.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
