Scott Macnab

Medical chiefs yesterday called for tougher action to tackle childhood obesity.

The issue also came under the spotlight in parliament yesterday as the British Medical Association (BMA) outlined a five-point plan to combat the problem.

"Childhood obesity rates in Scotland are worryingly high," said Dr Dean Marshall, chairman of the BMA's Scottish General Practitioners Committee.

"The government's action plan provides little detail on real actions that will reverse this trend. It is time for the government to take tough action."

In Scotland in 2006-07, one in five primary one schoolchildren was classed as overweight, according to the BMA, including 8.5% who were classed as obese and 4.3% classed as severely obese.

The highest levels of overweight, obese and severely obese children were found in the most deprived areas.

"Obesity is a very serious issue that can lead to a number of life-threatening health problems," Dr Marshall added.

"We are in danger of raising a generation of children burdened with long term chronic health conditions.

"Doctors have a role to play in supporting overweight patients and talking about the dangers of obesity but there is a limit to what they can do."

The BMA says more than 40 people are diagnosed with diabetes in Scotland every day and most of these cases are Type 2 diabetes, which is closely linked with obesity.

Increasing rates in childhood obesity might lead to more cases of heart disease, osteoarthritis and some cancers in the future.

The NHS spends at least £2bn in the UK every year on treating ill health caused by poor diet.

The Scottish Government published an action plan earlier this year to improve diet, increase physical activity and tackle obesity called Healthy Eating, Active Living.

It was backed by £56m, of which £40m was new money.

Health boards around the country were yesterday allocated £19m, to be targeted at helping children over the next three years.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said yesterday: "We are determined to stop the problem of obesity in its tracks, by supporting new mums, babies and all young people to develop healthy eating and active living habits that last a lifetime.

"We are fulfilling our commitment to provide free fruit to mothers and pre-school children but we're going much further than that.

"These new resources will help bring about a wide range of initiatives that support a healthy diet and physical activity."