Collaborative learning on obesity at The Gathering

Recent studies have shown that two thirds of Scottish adults are overweight or obese. This means that obesity is now an issue that affects most third sector organisations supporting people in communities and requires urgent attention. Voluntary Health Scotland will be leading a collaborative learning event at The Gathering on Obesity and Inequalities. The event aims to support improved leadership and workforce development in relation to the obesity and health inequalities agenda. It will raise awareness of the issues, the evidence of what works, as well as supporting the third sector’s engagement with the forthcoming Scottish Government diet and obesity strategy. The Scottish Health Survey 2016 shows that 65% of all adults in Scotland are overweight or obese and 29% of children. This costs the NHS of £600m and the wider cost to Scotland is estimated at £4.6 billion. Obesity and overweight are linked to 13 different cancers as well as to Type 2 Diabetes, asthma, osteoarthritis and cardio-vascular disease. The underlying determinants of obesity and their relationship with inequalities, as well as potential solutions, are complex and poorly understood. Delegates will be provided with a background briefing through a learning resource on the day. The resource will pull together material from different sources, supporting delegates to improve their knowledge and understanding about obesity and health. Source materials will include the Scottish Health Survey 2016, the Scottish Public Health Observatory report on obesity and health inequalities, the Health and Sport Committee’s short inquiry into obesity, and the consultation paper on the Scottish Government’s diet and obesity strategy. Following the event, VHS and NHS Health Scotland will conduct an evaluation survey. Two learning resources will be produced: a key messages report on the learning shared during the event and a short infographic version. Both will be shared via the VHS e-bulletin, NHS Health Scotland’s website and social media, and via members of the e-learning Collaborative and other VHS partners. The intention is that the outputs and outcomes of the event and the materials produced will lead to further work and potentially a follow up project during 2018/19. We hope to see you there!