Celia Nyssens, Policy Officer, Nourish Scotland says obesity is also a poverty issue because people from poorer backgrounds will prioritise calories over nutrients.  

Image source, Paths for All

Paths for All: Summary of Submission:

• physical activity has an important role in preventing obesity and can play a complimentary role in addressing it 
• physical activity brings a range of other health and well-being benefits 
• walking is the most accessible form of physical activity and represents extremely good value for money 
• the implementation of the National Walking Strategy will be particularly important in working to prevent obesity 
• the work of Paths for All and our partners offers a range of support that complements efforts to reduce obesity in Scotland   

Ian Findlay from Paths for All says this is a problem now and why it isn't a priority he does not know.

Mr Findlay says tackling the problem would save the government money in the long run. 

Cancer Research UK, external submission: 

• one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime
• in 2015, around 31,900 people in Scotland were diagnosed with cancer
• 4 in 10 cancers could be prevented by actions like not smoking, keeping a healthy bodyweight, cutting back on alcohol, eating a healthy balanced diet, keeping active and enjoying the sun safely
• Scotland has often led the way on the prevention agenda, pioneering the smoking ban and minimum unit pricing of alcohol
• more can and must be done in Scotland to help prevent more obesity-related cancers
• not only does obesity cause cancer, it hits the poorest hardest, and represents a significant drain on the NHS in Scotland and on the economy  

Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone asks why Scotland has the worst obesity issues of all the four nations. 

Professor Linda Bauld from Cancer Research UK says we do not have the diet that we should for our children and do not do enough physical activity.

Professor Bauld says, after smoking, it is the biggest preventable cause of cancer. 

Committee convener, and Scottish Labour MSP, Neil Findlay gets us underway in this round table discussion.

MSPs will begin with a round-table discussion with the following witnesses: 

• Professor Linda Bauld from Cancer Research UK
• Claire Hislop from NHS Health Scotland
• Lorraine Tulloch from Obesity Action Scotland
• Professor Nanette Mutrie from the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh
• Ian Findlay from Paths for All
• Dr Drew Walker from the Scottish Directors of Public Health Network
• Joyce Thompson from British Dietetic Association Scotland
• Celia Nyssens, Policy Officer, Nourish Scotland  

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 6 December 2016.

We begin today with coverage of the Health Committee as it takes evidence on obesity.

Image source, PA

The issues of 'near misses' recorded by police control rooms and the ban on smoking in cars with children present will be raised in topical questions.

The Scottish government will make a ministerial on Excellence and Equality in Scottish Education.

Image source, Reuters

It will then lead a debate on the support available for Scotland's renewables.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont will then lead a debate entitled "Care Tax in Scotland".