Archive

Apr 16

Scotland’s new cancer strategy ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’

So what do people think of the new cancer strategy? Annie S. Anderson Co-Director, Scottish Cancer Prevention Network The long awaited cancer strategy from Scottish Government has a clear focus on health inequalities and the need for person centred care. In the foreword by the Cabinet Secretary, prevention of the disease does get a ...

Apr 16

The Scottish Dietary Goals have been revised

In March 2016 the Scottish Government revised the Scottish Dietary Goals [1] to reflect updated recommendations on intakes of sugar and fibre from the independent Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) [2]. Set at a population level, the new goals indicate the extent of the dietary change needed to reduce the burden of ...

Jan 16

Weight of words on body weight

by Prof Annie Anderson, Professor of Public Health Nutrition, University of Dundee I have announced I will retire when all the medical students I teach know the links between obesity, diet, activity and cancer. The situation improves year on year but I am confident I will be around the medical school for some years to come. […]

Aug 13

Scotland takes an International Lead in Promoting Healthy Food Choices

The Scottish Government has openly invited all food industry businesses to work in partnership to implement a range of voluntary commitments to improve Scotland’s dietary health. A draft voluntary framework highlights four main principles: put children’s health first in all food-related decisions rebalance promotional ...

Aug 13

Revised Dietary Goals for Scotland

The revised Goals replace the Scottish Dietary Targets, which were set in the 1996 Scottish Diet Action Plan and take account of the need to build in population approaches in relation to reducing obesity and cancer risk. Two new dimensions that are included at a population level are: To achieve an average reduction […]

Aug 12

To Sell or Not To Sell: The Latest Soft Drink Controversy

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing a ban on the sale of large soft drinks1. Under the proposals, drinks larger than 16 ounces would be made unavailable across various public places (including restaurants, fast food outlets, cinemas and sports stadiums etc.). The ban would not apply to diet drinks, fruit juices, ...

Jul 12

The Case for the HPV Vaccine

In September 2008 a national program was launched to vaccinate all girls between the ages of 12-13 against human papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine helps protect against certain strains of HPV which can cause cancer. By 2009/10 it was reported that 87% of girls in their second year of high school (S2), in Scotland, were administered ...

Jul 12

Minimum Alcohol Pricing Bill passed by Scottish Government

At the end of May, the Scottish Government passed a Bill that proposes to save hundreds of lives each year. The Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill was passed and is set to introduce a minimum price of 50p per unit to certain alcohol.1 The Bill is set to target products that are low cost in relation […]

Apr 12

French Soda Tax Legislation

New legislation in France to tax sugar sweetened beverages by one euro cent per container, is now in effect. The duty was passed by the Constitutional Council with the aim to reduce obesity levels within the French population but also generate income to combat the euro debt crisis. France is now one of various […]

Nov 11

New Physical Activity Guidelines

The Department of Health has recently published new physical activity guidelines. This report by the Chief Medical Officer produced UK-wide guidelines for all four of the home countries for the first time and introduced guidelines for early years (under fives) as well as for sedentary behaviour, something of which previously has not ...

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