MORE THAN 20,000 children are to be given counselling for overeating and taught how to cook healthy meals as part of a £6m government drive to tackle obesity. All of those found to be overweight and obese will be referred by GPs and school nurses for the treatment programme.

The Scottish initiative will promote healthy eating and physical activity and aim to address the psychological, social and behavioural causes of weight gain, including low levels of self-esteem.

Children will be taught how to cook dishes that are low in calories and their parents will be asked to become involved by agreeing to use less fried and fatty foods at home and to allow their children to use their new skills to help plan healthy meals.

Pupils will also be encouraged to take part in more active ways of playing and relaxing rather than sitting in front of the television or computer for long periods.

Shona Robison, the public health minister, will unveil the plan this week. It will cost £2m a year over three years and form one element of a national obesity action plan, due to be published this spring, backed with £57m of investment.

“The Scottish government recognises that obesity is an increasing problem and poses a serious threat to health,” said Robison.

“The physical health risks for children and young people can include asthma, diabetes and musculoskeletal problems. If weight problems continue into later life, there are increased risks of serious chronic conditions, such as heart disease, osteoarthritis and certain cancers.

“Unfortunately it can also have psychosocial impacts relating to stigma and bullying. This is why we are making tackling the problem, particularly in early life, a high priority.”

Scotland’s population of dangerously overweight children is burgeoning, with one in five 12-year-olds classed as clinically obese.

Robison admitted that the new treatment programmes would not be enough to solve Scotland’s childhood obesity crisis. “These are only part of the picture” she said. “Government and other stakeholders have a key role to play in preventing obesity by helping to create environments that make it easier for children to be more active in their everyday lives and support families in making healthier choices in what they eat.”

Dr Colin Waine, of the National Obesity Forum, a charity set up by medical practitioners, said that involving parents could help the latest initiatives to deliver results. But he said that ministers had to do more at an earlier age than five, adding: “Preventing obesity has to start sooner than school and it has to involve regular monitoring of the body mass index of children from year one onwards.

“If you don’t do that, you will lose a number of years during which the child could be becoming progressively more overweight and you should be looking to intervene as soon as the early signs are there.”

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