Obesity Action Scotland's Childhood Obesity Report

That the Parliament notes with concern the increasing number of children in Scotland with a body mass index (BMI) above the recommended level with, it understands, nearly one in five children, 18%, at risk of obesity, and a third either overweight or obese; acknowledges the report, Childhood Obesity, by Obesity Action Scotland, which highlights growing inequalities in child health across the country and a correlation between higher levels of deprivation and poor dietary choices; notes that, according to the report, sugary soft drink consumption is more than twice as common among children in the most deprived areas, at approximately 29%, compared with those in the least deprived areas at 13%; further notes that the report highlights that approximately 14% of children in the most deprived areas were at risk of obesity in 2022, compared with around 7% of children from the least deprived areas; believes that addressing these health inequalities is crucial for the future wellbeing and opportunities of Scotland’s children, and supports continued efforts to improve child health and reduce inequalities across the country.