Obesity fight 'needs hearts and minds'

Published on Wednesday 14 May 2008 10:36

THE city's education leader today called for more be done to win over children's "hearts and minds" in the effort to tackle obesity.

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren's comments came as new government guidelines outlined plans to offer all school pupils two hours of PE a week.

Schools minister Maureen Watt said combating childhood obesity was now a "high priority" for the Scottish Government.

Pupils could also get the chance to take part in physical activities at break times, lunchtimes and at the end of the school day, she said.

But Edinburgh's education leader said that simply setting out guidelines would not help schools achieve their targets.

She said: "It's a question of winning over hearts and minds rather than strapping down the sanctions.

"From the Scottish Government's point of view, introducing new guidelines is worth a try, but is it going to make an enormous amount of difference?"