Weight stigma harms mental health. It fuels shame, anxiety and creates barriers to care. This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, let’s #TakeAction to rethink how we talk about obesity, challenge weight stigma, and support both mental & physical wellbeing 🧠💪

#SaltAwarenessWeek (11-17 May) Most of the salt we eat isn’t added at the table — it’s already in everyday foods. In Scotland, intake is too high, increasing the risk of serious health conditions. Reducing salt isn’t just about individual choice — we need systemic action.

“The UK’s health is going backwards” 📉 Obesity is a key driver—fuelling earlier illness and widening inequalities. 📍Scotland: • 2/3 adults & 1/3 children affected • Felt most in our most deprived communities This isn’t inevitable. It’s structural. Read more 👇 www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Today, we sent a letter on behalf of the @soa-25.bsky.social to the CEO of #Glasgow2026 Commonwealth Games, raising disappointment and concerns about the Coca-Cola sponsorship: 👉 obesityactionscotland.org/news/soa-ope... #PublicHealth #Advertising #HFSS #Scotland #ObesityPrevention

🚨 WE'RE HIRING: Policy and Public Affairs Manager to support and coordinate the work of the Scottish Obesity Alliance. Join us to help shape policy and drive action to tackle obesity in Scotland. Find out more and apply: https://rcpsg.ac.uk/work-with-us/policy-and-public-affairs-manager

New public polling shows 83% of Scots agree the Scottish Government must act to make healthy food convenient and affordable for everyone. Scotland is calling for action - our manifesto reflects that call. Three must‑haves. One fairer, healthier Scotland. #GoodFoodFuture

Scotland’s #GoodFoodFuture starts today. On #WorldObesityDay we launch our joint manifesto with new polling showing 2/3 of Scots want healthier food environments to protect the health of the public. Scotland is calling for action — and we’re answering that call. Link in bio.

Scotland’s #GoodFoodFuture is coming. On 4 March #WorldObesityDay, we launch our joint manifesto and new public polling on Scotland’s food system—setting out clear actions for the next Scottish Government. Three must haves. One fairer, healthier Scotland.

Today’s update to the Nutrient Profiling Model is a major step forward. Obesity Action Scotland welcomes this long‑overdue alignment with modern dietary advice—lower free sugar thresholds and higher fibre thresholds reflect what we now know supports healthier diets.

🚀 A “moonshot” to end obesity — but are we going far and fast enough? Read Dr Andrew Fraser, Chair of the OAS Steering Group, on what it will take to create a fair, healthy weight future in Scotland 👉 tinyurl.com/84b7njfr

PHS projects up to 3.3m adults in Scotland could be living with excess weight by 2040 — a major warning for our NHS. But it’s not inevitable. With bold, joined-up action, Scotland can change course. 📘 tinyurl.com/mpa4r2t3

Announcing new event: Obesity: one of the most pressing public health challenges of our times. Book your space here: www.rcpe.ac.uk/events/obesity

Interim Head of OAS, Robin Ireland, is taking part in the NIHR School for Public Health Research webinar series on Health and risk communication. Robin is speaking on 'Sport and public health' on Wed 19 Nov. Details here: sphr.nihr.ac.uk/news-and-eve... @uofgshw.bsky.social @uofgsocsci.bsky.social

Announcement: Dr Andrew Fraser, Chair of Obesity Action Scotland’s Steering Group says: “It’s a great pleasure to announce that Julie Cameron will be taking up her role as Head of our unit at the Royal College in the New Year". More details here: www.obesityactionscotland.org/news/new-hea...

👋We're hiring! A position for a Policy and Communications Officer is now open! Full details of the role 🔗 www.obesityactionscotland.org/news/were-hi...

Any good news on diet is in very short supply'. OAS Steering Group Chair Dr Andrew Fraser's blog on the Scottish Health Survey. It's not an encouraging read. www.obesityactionscotland.org/blogs/the-sc...

Energy drinks to be banned for under-16s in England www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Advertising works 👏 That's why companies spend so much money on it💸 We should be particularly worried in how it influences the behaviour of young people. Excellent new report out by @CR_UK bit.ly/3HsKcol

Researchers at Ulster University are recruiting UK adults (18+) with a BMI of 25+ to take part in an online survey They're exploring chronotype, eating behaviours, exercise timing preference and lifestyle factors Survey: redcap.science.ulster.ac.uk/redcap/surve...

Join our young activists in calling for a #CommercialBreak! 😎 It's time to turn up the volume. 👊 Help us demand better from Junk Food Giants, by putting our posters all over your area — from your window to the local notice boards! Or taking a selfie like Farid & Alice. bb2030.co/xoct

The Scottish Food Coalition is looking for a new Chair to guide the strategic direction of their work. 🍽️ Join a diverse coalition of 60+ groups working for a transition to a fair, healthy, and sustainable food system in Scotland. 📲 Visit: short-link.me/19qtQ to find out more and apply.

👋New Vacancy! Do you have experience in public health, leadership and shaping policy? If so, the role of Head of Obesity Action Scotland could be the one for you 🤝 Full details of the role 🔗http://bit.ly/4fgsbG1

There is so much media noise about weight loss drugs. But they can only ever be a small part of any solution to the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Scotland. We must focus more on prevention and building healthier food environments. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

UK Govt new 10-year Health Plan for England sets out commitments to restrict junk food ads targeted at children, ban sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16s and update standards for healthy school meals. We look forward to Scotland progressing similar policies here.

Good to see the UK Government announcing the introduction of mandatory healthiness targets for retail food outlets. We look forward to Scotland following suit, restricting outdoor advertising of junk food and ensuring healthy school meals. Read our comment: tinyurl.com/y4swcd7z

Our June newsletter has made its way to your inbox 📩 Features include: 📣Highlights from OAS & SOA Conference 📒Key policy publications including HFSS promotions 📝OAS & SOA Commonwealth Games petition update Subscribe here 👉 tinyurl.com/yc72dehy

Today, we & @soa-25.bsky.social submitted a public petition to 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Company calling for a health promoting, family friendly Games, free of HFSS food and drink and other health harming products. Find out more: tinyurl.com/4fwb9tfb

Our new blog discusses Scotland’s newly published Population Health Framework. We welcome the priority afforded to improving healthy weight in the Framework, but further actions and commitments are needed to make this priority a reality. Find out more ➡️ tinyurl.com/2rcyfuuu

We welcome Scottish Government initiating regulation on retail HFSS promotions. Positive to see some forms of price promotions, like multi-buys and unlimited refills, included. Also covers key locations like checkouts and store entrances. tinyurl.com/2hak727c

💡Speaker spotlight from our & @obesityactionsc.bsky.social conference last week. Today's focus is on the session on Food Promotions and Inequalities in Obesity and speaker Alana McDonald from @fsscot.bsky.social. Find out more: tinyurl.com/4xe8sudh

This week we co-hosted with @soa-25.bsky.social our Healthy Food Environment: Time to Deliver conference. Over 80 delegates, Chairs and speakers contributed to the insightful and thought-provoking discussion on actions needed to transform our food environment in Scotland.

OAS and @soa-25.bsky.social teams are ready to welcome delegates to today’s conference. Looking forward to a day of insightful discussion

📣Conference programme and speakers We're pleased to announce the final programme and speakers for our & @soa-25.bsky.social in-person conference 'Healthy Food Environment: Time to Deliver' on 10th June. Full details on the conference and speaker biographies tinyurl.com/yzufyntv

📣More speakers announced! We're delighted to announce the next set of speakers for our & @soa-25.bsky.social conference on 10th June in Glasgow. @foodpolicycitysg.bsky.social @sustainweb.org @highland.gov.uk Further speakers to follow. More details on the conference tinyurl.com/2k4vsyu3

📣Speaker announcement! We're pleased to announce the first set of speakers for our & @soa-25.bsky.social 'Healthy Food Environment: Time to Deliver' conference on 10th June in Glasgow. More speakers to be announced. Further details on the conference ⬇️ tinyurl.com/2k4vsyu3

Our recently published research showcased that parents across Scotland are keen to see food promotions shifted towards healthy food options and are looking forward to Scottish Government taking action to deliver what they as parents are saying Read the full report ➡️https://tinyurl.com/4u8ppn34

What parents say 🗣️ In our research, parents spoke of items being cleverly placed at checkouts within stores to encourage them to purchase items on impulse, leading to additional unplanned spending Read the full report for more insights tinyurl.com/4u8ppn34

What parents say 🗣️ In our research, parents identified tactics used to make HFSS products more appealing to children as a barrier to accessing healthier options and creating brand loyalty in their children. Read the full report for more insights tinyurl.com/4u8ppn34

What parents say 🗣️ In our recently published research, parents highlight that price promotions can prioritise unhealthy food, often leading to these items being purchased and unplanned spending. Read the full report for more insights ➡️https://tinyurl.com/4u8ppn34

📣Preliminary programme for our and @soa-25.bsky.social in-person half day conference 'Healthy Food Environment: Time to Deliver' in Glasgow on 10th June is now available. More details ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2s4jwajp Limited tickets available. Register now to secure your place tinyurl.com/3e8ef7pk

At our @parliament.scot reception last week, OAS Chair Dr Andrew Fraser reflected on OAS’ journey over the last 10 years and developments in the Scottish obesity landscape: “It was arguable that obesity was a front-rank public health problem in Scotland - no-one is arguing now.”

At our @parliament.scot reception last week @worldobesity.bsky.social CEO @johannaralston.bsky.social said: “Scotland has the unique opportunity to lead the rest of the UK, Europe and other countries in instituting comprehensive regulation restricting price and location promotions of HFSS products.”

Brand-new research examines parental perceptions of retail promotions on HFSS food in Scotland. Findings suggest significant parental concern on the impact of these promotions on their families’ diets and budgets. Read the full report ➡️https://tinyurl.com/4u8ppn34

Great support from MSPs across the board at our @parliament.scot 10th anniversary reception yesterday. @emmaharpermsp.bsky.social @colinsmythmsp.bsky.social @suewebbermsp.bsky.social @beatricewishartmsp.bsky.social @jennimintomsp.bsky.social @sandeshgulhane.bsky.social

Children call on Parliamentarians @parliament.scot to act to protect them from junk food advertising tricks. The Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act presents an opportunity to create a healthy food environment for all @fastforwardscot.bsky.social

We along with our partners @soa-25.bsky.social were in Scottish Parliament today to mark our 10th anniversary. Children attending called for action to improve the food environment in Scotland to help meet Scottish Government target to halve childhood obesity by 2030. @foodcoalition.scot

New publication 📢 We have now published our obesity prevalence factsheet for 2023/24 It details the most up to date data on obesity prevalence within 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, and for the first time details the Primary 1 BMI statistics for child weight by ethnicity Full factsheet 👉 tinyurl.com/3pjtvr8z

LIMITED TICKETS 🚨 Two thirds of tickets claimed for our FREE "Healthy Food Environment" conference on 10th June! All sectors aligned to public health goals welcome. Features: Ministerial address, HFSS food regulations discussions, expert speakers. Register now: tinyurl.com/26t67c9s

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games took steps to create a health-conscious event. OAS and @soa-25.bsky.social believe action must be taken to make this a priority for the 2026 Games. Support our petition for healthy sporting events 👉 tinyurl.com/4ama8apj More about the 2014 Games🔽

Registration now open! Join us for our free half-day conference "Healthy Food Environment: Time to Deliver" on June 10th in Glasgow. Featuring Minister @jennimintomsp.bsky.social & experts from NHS Tayside, @uofgshw.bsky.social and @fsscot.bsky.social Register now! tinyurl.com/26t67c9s