STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

A LIMIT on potion sizes and a calorie cap on takeaway and restaurant meals is being planned in a government crackdown on obesity.

The Scottish Government plan on tackling obesity includes a range on interventions at home in shops and in takeaways and eating out.

The actions being consulted on include banning multi buy promotions like two for one on foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

It also plans to see health visitors checking on pre-school children’s eating habits at home and if necessary parents referred to health living classes.

The Scottish Government said action is necessary because of high obesity rates and the cost to the public purse though the health service.

The strategy targets the ‘out of home’ sector which the government said evidence shows is “skewed towards less healthy options”.

A fish supper has an average of 1000 calories per portion.

The plan to be produced by next summer will include calorie labelling, portion size and calorie cap options, promotions and marketing, providing advice on healthier cooking methods and nutritional standards for public sector procurement.

In shops and supermarkets the plan will limit promotions encouraging shoppers to buy more.

The consultation document says: “The Scottish Government is minded to act to restrict price promotion on food and drink products which are high in fat, salt and sugar. This could include multi-buy; X for Y and temporary price promotions.”

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said the approach to obesity and food should be the same as with smoking and alcohol.

She said: ““Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cancer cardiovascular disease and depression. Simply put, it’s harming the people of Scotland. It also puts pressure on the NHS, other public services and our economy.

“We are putting forward a package of bold measures designed to help people make healthier choices, empower personal change and show real leadership.

“As with our ground-breaking strategies on alcohol and tobacco, this is the start of a progressive plan of action, learning from our experience in Scotland and further afield, that will make a real, lasting difference to the country’s health.”