The Scottish Government has announced £600,000 of funding to help prevent childhood obesity.

Under fives and their families are being given the tools to develop healthy habits through six products which are aimed at preventing childhood obesity and reducing health inequalities.

One of the programmes to benefits is JumpStart Tots which is run by NHS Ayrshire & Arran. The interactive healthy lifestyle programme offers families with children aged between two and five a minimum of eight one hour sessions that are planned to suit the individual needs of each family.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “On World Obesity Day we reiterate the importance of improving health and reducing health inequalities across Scotland.

“We want Scotland to be the best place in the world for a child to grow up and we know good nutrition and physical activity is crucial for children’s health and development.

“These projects are crucial to our bold ambition to halve childhood obesity in Scotland by 2030. They tackle inequalities working with families and communities to encourage healthy eating and offering support for those experiencing food insecurity.

“We will continue to support local partners to develop these ambitious and effective plans to help prevent and reduce childhood obesity, alongside policies such as our Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan and Best Start Foods payment, which are central to our commitment to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to healthy, nutritious food.”

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