Summary

  • The Economy Committee takes evidence from enterprise agencies on Scotland's economic performance

  • Topical questions sees the minimum pricing of alcohol raised and ScotRail’s cutting of carriages between Edinburgh and Glasgow

  • The Scottish government leads a debate on developing a Scottish healthy weight strategy

  • Brexit Minister Michael Russell gives a statement on the planned EU continuity bill

  • Scotch whisky's contribution to the Scottish tourism industry is debated by MSPs

  1. Education key to long-term health solutions says Tory MSPpublished at 16:07 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle says high quality, locally grown produce is not getting to Scottish dinner tables.

    Education must play a pivotal role in addressing long term health issues, he argues.

    Mr Whittle says the third sector are key deliverers in obesity reduction programmes and calls for its involvement in any social prescribing initiatives.

  2. Dentist-cum-Labour MSP is 'very happy' about sugar discussionpublished at 16:01 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Labour MSP Anas Sarwar
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Anas Sarwar

    Labour MSP Anas Sarwar notes the financial costs of obesity have a huge impact on the health service.

    He jokes the contributions which reflected on the negative impacts of sugar made the dentist in him "very happy".

    Coming to a close, he says there is a direct link between funding for local authorities and the availability of local initiatives on sport and food.

  3. Postpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

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  4. Background: Child and teen obesity spreading across the globepublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Child and teenage obesity levels have risen ten-fold in the last four decades, meaning 124m boys and girls around the globe are too fat, according to new research.

    The analysis in the Lancet, external as the largest of its kind and looks at obesity trends in over 200 countries.

    In the UK, one in every 10 young people aged five to 19, is obese.

    peopleImage source, Getty Images

    Obese children are likely to become obese adults, putting them at risk of serious health problems, say experts.

    These include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer, such as breast and colon.

    The Lancet analysis, released on World Obesity Day, comes as researchers from the World Obesity Federation, externalwarn that the global cost of treating ill health caused by obesity will exceed £920bn every year from 2025.

    Read more here.

  5. Postpublished at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

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  6. SNP MSP reminisces dangerously about rationingpublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Mr Stevenson is way too close to the chair for his rationing gag!Image source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Mr Stevenson is way too close to the chair for his rationing gag!

    SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says he is the only member, with perhaps the exception of the MSP before him, who remembers rationing.

    Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame, said MSP, warns: "The ground is gradually opening up under your feet Mr Stevenson."

    Mr Stevenson insists Ms Grahame was not in the chair when his speech was written.

  7. Labour MSP says council cuts are impacting sport programmespublished at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Labour MSP Alex Rowley
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Alex Rowley

    Labour MSP Alex Rowley says it is easy to see why many families take advantage of price promotions, which are disproportionately on unhealthy food.

    This is why the Scottish government must take action on it, he says.

    Alex Rowley says the government should also look to curb the number of fast food outlets, particularly those nearby schools.

    Many local and community sports programmes are struggling to get by due to cuts to local government, he argues, and calls for them to be properly funded.

  8. Background: Millennials 'set to be fattest generation'published at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Fat peopleImage source, bbc

    UK millennials are on track to be the most overweight generation since records began, health experts say.

    Based on population trends, more than seven in every 10 people born between the early 1980s and mid-90s will be too fat by the time they reach middle age.

    In comparison, about half of the "baby boomer" generation, born just after World War Two, were fat at that age.

    Being fat as an adult is linked to 13 different types of cancer, says Cancer Research UK, who did the analysis.

    The list includes breast, bowel and kidney cancer, but only 15% of people in the UK are aware of the link, according to the charity.

    Read more here

  9. Postpublished at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

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  10. Lib Dems to support Scottish government motionpublished at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton notes 65% of adults and a third of children in Scotland are overweight or obese.

    Not only food, but alcohol too is a key contributor to unhealthy weight, he says.

    The Lib Dems support restrictions on sales, marketing and sponsorship of unhealthy products, particularly when targeted at children, the MSP confirms.

    There are many barriers to sport, including access in communities, social isolation and low self-esteem, Mr Cole-Hamilton says.

    He concludes by backing the Scottish government's motion.

  11. Postpublished at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

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  12. Postpublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

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  13. Background: UK most overweight country in Western Europe says OECDpublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    The UK obesity rate has doubled over the past two decadesImage source, Science Photo Library
    Image caption,

    The UK obesity rate has doubled over the past two decades

    Britain is the most obese nation in Western Europe, with rates rising faster than any other developed nation.

    Obesity rates have doubled over the past two decades, and 63% of UK adults are overweight, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

    Britain is now sixth heaviest - "considerably worse" than the rest of the 35-member club of wealthy nations.

    The UK's comparatively high adolescent drunkenness rate is also a key concern.

  14. Green MSP asks for a more psychological approach to food management avoiding stigmapublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone says she has just completed sugar free February via Cancer Research UK.

    Ms Johnstone says she supports the government motion and indeed the Tory and Labour amendments.

    Ms JohnstoneImage source, bbc

    She says: "Good health means tackling income inequality, discrimination and prejudice, its not all about more nurses in hospitals."

    The Green MSP asks for a more psychological approach to food management avoiding stigma.

  15. Background: Scottish government crackdown on unhealthy food offerspublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Ministers have targeted "bold" measures to make a "real, lasting difference" to Scotland's healthImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Ministers have targeted "bold" measures to make a "real, lasting difference" to Scotland's health

    The promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt is to be restricted in Scotland, ministers have confirmed.

    The Scottish government plans the move as part of its new diet and obesity strategy to help people lose weight.

    Ministers also want to see the broadcast of TV adverts for unhealthy food banned before the 21:00 watershed.

    TV chef Jamie Oliver, a prominent campaigner for healthier eating, described it as "trailblazing" and urged the UK government to follow suit.

    He said: "This is an amazing step towards making sure the healthiest choice is the easiest choice - for everyone."

    Read more here.

  16. Scotland's health: What we learnedpublished at 15:33 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Media caption,

    What you need to know about bread

    A link between highly processed foods and cancer has been suggested by French researchers.

    They classified foods including cakes, chicken nuggets and mass-produced bread as "ultra-processed".

    A study of 105,000 people hinted the more of such foods people ate, the greater their risk of cancer.

    A lot of caution is being expressed about the study, but experts said a healthy diet is best.

    Read more here.

  17. Postpublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

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  18. Background: Obesity caused 5,000 bowel cancer cases over 10 years, says charitypublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    About 1,600 people a year in Scotland die due to bowel cancerImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    About 1,600 people a year in Scotland die due to bowel cancer

    Almost 5,000 cases of bowel cancer in Scotland over the last decade have been caused by obesity, according to a leading charity.

    The findings have been described by Cancer Research UK as a "huge worry".

    The charity has called for restrictions on offers for unhealthy food and more done to encourage healthier lifestyles.

    The Scottish government has said it will examine what further action it can take, including measures on multi-buy promotions.

    There are around 3,800 cases of bowel cancer diagnosed in Scotland each year and about 1,600 people die from the disease annually.

    Obesity is linked to 13 types of cancer and Cancer Research UK said resistance to insulin, a hormone important in the breakdown of food, is one likely explanation.

    Read more here.

  19. SNP MSP says people have to make up to 200 food decisions a daypublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    SNP MSP Ash DenhamImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    SNP MSP Ash Denham

    SNP MSP Ash Denham says people have to make up to 200 food decisions a day.

    Ms Denham says food labelling is key, adding it has to be easy for people to judge nutritional value of products.

    Some foods are deliberately made to be as addictive as drugs, she says.

  20. Labour MSP cautions about language use around obesitypublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 27 February 2018

    Labour MSP Johann Lamont says it is important to be very careful about the language used around healthy eating because it can lead to body shaming and disordered eating.

    This week is Eating Disorder Awareness Week and SNP MSP Clare Haughey leads a members debate on this subject tomorrow evening.

    Labour MSP Johann Lamont
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Johann Lamont

    Financial constraints have caused many healthy eating and sports programmes to be rolled back, Ms Lamont argues.

    Physical activity must be supported at community level, she says.