Successful French healthy living pilot projects to be trialled in Scotland

Lessons from a French programme which has cut childhood obesity by almost a quarter in participating towns are to be trialled in eight towns, villages and cities in Scotland.

The pilot Healthy Weight Communities have been inspired by French projects showing participating towns curbed childhood obesity and maternal weight gain over eight years, while "control" towns saw both rise.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison launched the programme today together with a consultation on revising Scotland's Diabetes Action Plan, as part of a two-pronged approach to tackling obesity.

Ms Robison said: 'The French experience can teach us valuable lessons in cutting obesity. Like their French inspirations, our Healthy Weight Communities will bring whole towns together to get more active and eat more healthily.'

The French project websites

EPODE (Preventing Childhood Obesity Together)

Villes Santes

WHO Healthy Cities

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