# 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.](https://thegathering.scot/events/a-weighty-issue-understanding-and-action-on-obesity-and-health/) 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](http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/scottish-health-survey) 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](http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/scottish-health-survey), 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!

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)