Scotland must climb out of obesity hole - Scott

4.59.13pm GMT Mon 22nd Feb 2010

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP has tackled Inverness Leisure’s climbing wall as he launches his investigation into why more Scots aren’t taking exercise.

As part of the investigation, Mr Scott will try different sports and activities offered by communities across the country.

The Scottish Government are expected to launch their obesity strategy later in the week.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

“Over 60% of Scottish adults are overweight or obese and a fifth of Primary One children are overweight.

“Obesity is a ticking time bomb that threatens to jeopardise the progress we’ve made in tackling killer diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

“An official report into sports participation found that once walking was excluded, less than half of Scots in 2008 had taken exercise in the four weeks leading up to the survey.

“I know from personal experience that it’s difficult to fit in exercise when you’re already juggling a busy job, travel and a family. So I want to try to get active myself and see what the barriers are and how to overcome them.

“I’ve started with a climbing wall in Inverness – Scotland has to climb of the obesity hole we’re in.

“I’ll continue to explore the different activities on offer around the country. I hope to hear from real people why they do and why they don’t exercise so we can support Scotland to get active.”