Overweight and obesity rates for both children and young people in Scotland are among the highest in the developed world. In response to this, levels of physical activity and nutrition for children and young people have been identified as priority health concerns in Scotland. 

Health inequalities lead to an increased risk for poor health outcomes and could mean that a young person will not have the same access as their peers to nutritional food or amenities for physical activity and sport. Factors that may affect health inequality include: gender, ethnicity, social class, area deprivation, employment status and educational attainment. Those living in the most deprived areas often consume less fruit, vegetables, fibre and some vitamins and minerals. They may also consume too much sugar and often have higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. Our diet and activity levels are influenced by a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. For example:

• Income.
• Food and drink our friends and families consume.
• Food available and affordable in our shops.
• Energy density of food.
• Types of grocery shops around us.
• Social Media Promotional and marketing influences.
• Local transport and planning systems.
• Access to affordable and attractive sports facilities and clubs.
• Stigma and social expectations.

Physical activity and nutrition are intrinsically linked and should not be separated. The settings in which children and young people are already physically active should be considered and built upon when increasing levels of physical activity and nutritional value of their diet. Improved health outcomes are intricately linked to healthy lifestyle choices. Raising awareness and encouraging positive behaviours in all children and young people is essential to improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

The following video clip outlines the value of physical activity for our health and wellbeing and highlights some ways in which children and young people can incorporate more movement into their day.

It is important children from birth to 5 have opportunities for age-appropriate physical activity. You can find out more information about recommended activity levels and types of activities here .

The following infographic contains findings from the Scotland Schools Health and Wellbeing Census 2021/22.

Energy Drinks: more and more children and young people are consuming Caffeinated Energy Drinks (CED's) as part of their diet. Over consumption of CED's can have an impact on physical and mental health and may also be associated with other Multiple Risk behaviours. Click here to view our infographic for more information.

Physical Activity

Physical activity offerings should be free, easily accessible and include a range of options. The fun and social aspects of the activities should be highlighted. Schools should have comprehensive food and drink policies and school facilities should be improved to promote increased physical activity.

A More Active Scotland has the vison of people in Scotland being more active daily.  

Physical activity is about getting people moving.  Daily walking, playing in a park ,going to a gym, training with a team or aspiring to win a Gold  medal- it doesn't really matter how people get active. It just matters that we do

Being physically active contributes to our personal, community and national wellbeing

You can view the outcomes framework here (page 11)

Schools are required to deliver:

• At least 2 hours of PE per week in primary school.
• At least 2 sessions of PE per week between S1 and S4.

In 2022, 99 per cent of all primary and secondary schools combined (2,326 of 2,354) were meeting the target level of PE provision, an increase from 96 per cent in 2021 but the same as in 2020.

No significant difference between boys and girls at risk of obesity. However there was a significant difference across age groups. (Scottish Health Survey 2021)  

The Daily Mile Scotland: National Strategy advocates that daily physical activity is good for physical, mental, and social health and helps children concentrate. It has shown to improve health, fitness, body composition, cognition and wellbeing and all schools should encourage this to be taken up where possible. The Daily Mile is active in every local authority in Scotland.

Nutrition

Free school meals are currently available for all pupils in Glasgow from P1 to P5. Around 40% of Glasgow’s school children are currently entitled to a free school meal.

The Scottish Government supports the aim to increase breastfeeding rates in our communities and to support babies to be breastfed for longer. Breastfeeding can protect against obesity and a range of other conditions. 'A healthier future: Scotland's diet and healthy weight delivery plan' identifies breastfeeding is one of the key things a mum can do to give her children the best start in life. The latest infant feeding data (available here ) shows a reduction in inequalities in breastfeeding with increases in breastfeeding being seen in our SIMD 1 neighbourhood areas.   

Oral Health

Oral health messages for children and young people should be included in learning related to nutrition. The three key messages are:

• Brush teeth and gums last thing at night and one other time with a fluoride toothpaste - ideally 1450 ppm (parts per million) - spit and DON’T rinse.
• Foods and drinks containing sugar should be kept to a minimum and are best given at mealtimes only.
• Attend routine check-up appointment with your dentist, every 12 months. Dentists can tailor recalls based on patients' individual oral health needs. Contact your dentist if you or your child are feeling any pain or discomfort, or call NHS 24 on 111.

Childsmile is a national programme designed to improve the oral health of children in Scotland and reduce inequalities both in dental health and access to dental services. Click here to find out more.

Public Health Scotland's Physical Activity Recommendations for children and young people (0-5 years, 5-18 years and disabled children) can be found here .

Free School Meals

Free school meals are available from P1 to P5. Children attending early learning and childcare settings are entitled to a free meal on the days they attend. This will be either breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Clothing Grants and Free School Meals - Glasgow City Council

Glasgow Children's Holiday Food and Activity Programme 

Details of the programme can be found below. 

The Glasgow Children's Holiday Food and Activity Programme - Glasgow City Council

HENRY 

HENRY is a holistic approach to tackling child healthy weight and obesity by focusing on not only healthy eating, but also the significance of wider influences on children’s lifestyles. Parenting efficacy, emotional wellbeing and daily family routines all play a part in determining what a child eats and how active they are. HENRY adopts a unique and highly effective way of working with parents which supports them to change family lifestyle habits and behaviours and provide a healthy start in life for their children – this is the ‘HENRY approach’. Visit the HENRY Website by clicking here .

Professional (public sector and third sector) and self-referrals can be made to the HENRY programme. Click here to make a referral via the NHSGGC website. 

The Glasgow City food plan (2021– 2031)

The Glasgow City Food Plan (2021– 2031), launched in June 2021. The plan aims for Glasgow to be a city where tasty, healthy, affordable food is accessible to everyone. Where local food enterprises are supported and celebrated. Where we produce, provide, purchase and consume food that is good for the planet, good for animal welfare, and for good for those involved in growing, making and selling it. In doing this, we will work towards an inclusive, sustainable, resilient and fair economy for our whole community. You can access the food plan here

Fuel Zone (School Meals)

The Catering and Facilities Management team cater for more than 300 education establishments across Glasgow, serving up almost 34,000 healthy and nutritionally balanced lunches each day.                          Fuel Zone (School Meals) 

Glasgow City Council Glasgow Children's Holiday Food and Activity Programme Summer 2023

The Glasgow Children's Holiday Food and Activity Programme will operate during the Summer 2023 holiday. The Glasgow Children's Holiday Food and Activity Programme - Glasgow City Council

Thrive Under 5

Funded by Scottish Government, Thrive Under 5 (TU5) is a whole systems approach to support healthy weight in the early years. Led by NHSGG&C and for Glasgow, taken forward by GHSCP (Health Improvement), the project recognises that a range of barriers can prevent families and carers from ensuring that their children achieve a healthy weight, including family income, accessibility of affordable fresh foods, knowledge/information to cook using fresh ingredients and access to wider community support. The project aims to overcome these by working with local organisations and affected families.  TU5 is also being rolled out in other NHSGG&C Board areas. Find out more here.

The HENRY approach enacts a unique and highly effective way of working with parents/carers which supports them to help change family lifestyle habits and behaviours and support a healthy start in life for their children.  Practitioners working with families in Glasgow are currently receiving training in this area in a phased approach.   This approach complements TU5 and Health Improvement child health programmes. Find out more here

The following resources have been developed and/or quality assured by the Glasgow City HSCP Health Improvement Team. 

Your Body Matters

Stage: Primary School

Description: The Your Body Matters curriculum pack explores the topics of food, nutrition, physical activity, food waste and sustainability and body image and self-esteem and has been updated in 2023 by Health Improvement and Education staff. The pack is made up of Teacher Notes, Lesson plans and Activities for each stage which have been mapped to the benchmarks for assessment outlined within the Curriculum for Excellence. Your Body Matters outlines additional resources to support learning and the implementation of a whole school approach to food, nutrition and physical activity education. 

Your Body Matters is now available to view, download and print from the NHSGGC website. Access the Your Body Matters curriculum pack here

Here are some additional resources and useful websites for further information about physical activity, nutrition and oral health.

General

Green Spaces of Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Green Spaces of Greater Glasgow and Clyde is a resource developed by Health Improvement and outlines details and information about available green spaces across the six Health and Social Care Partnerships. Click here   to access it.

Health Apps suitable for use for children, young people and families

The physical activity and nutrition task group for the Glasgow City Health Improvement Strategy have collated a number of apps recommended by the NHS that are free to download and use and fit with NHS messaging for young people. Click here   to access more information.

Learning resources - Scottish Wildlife Trust

Activities for children and young people shared by the Scottish Wildlife Trust to inspire people to take positive action in pursuit of its vision of healthy, resilient ecosystems across Scotland’s land and seas. You can access the resources here 

Weigh to Go

A service for young people who are overweight and want to lose or manage their weight. Regular support from a Weigh to Go Nurse and Slimming World membership. Suitable for 12 - 18 year olds living within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area with a BMI greater than 25. Find out more or make a referral by clicking here

Nutrition

Community Food and Health Scotland

Community Food and Health (Scotland) or CFHS aims to ensure that everyone in Scotland has the opportunity, ability and confidence to access a healthy and acceptable diet for themselves, their families and their communities. Find out more via the CFHS website by clicking here

HENRY

Planning and cooking healthy family meals can be difficult for some families. Simple recipes are available to help families prepare quick, balanced meals via the HENRY Website. Click here to view.

The HENRY website also offer resources on:

• Eating well for less. Click here to view.
• Fussy eaters. Click here to view.
• Top Tips for Parents and Carers. Click here to view.
• Oral Health. Click here to view.

The Eatwell Guide

The Eatwell Guide provides Government recommendations and guidance on what should be included in a healthy and balanced diet. The Eatwell Guide replaces the previous guidance tool the Eatwell Plate. Click here to access it.

Food a fact of life

'Food a fact of life' is a comprehensive, progressive education programme which communicates up-to-date, evidence-based, consistent and accurate messages around ‘food’ to all those involved in education. Click here  to access it

Food Standards Scotland

The Food Standards Scotland website has tips on healthy eating, meal plans and interactive educational games for children and young people. Click here  to access it.

NHS Inform - Food and Nutrition

here 

Vitamin D

The Scottish Government recommendations for vitamin D can be found here

NHS Glasgow and Clyde's website provides information on who is eligible for free vitamins D supplements in the board area and how these can be accessed. Information is available here

Physical activity

Actify

Actify enables sport and physical activity organisations to create and host digital content, learn from one another, and support their audience. For more information click here

NHS GGC have information hosted on the Actify website which can be found here

Glasgow Life Activity Directory

Directory of Glasgow Life activity and sport sessions and organisations operating across Glasgow. Click here to access the directory.

Movement for Health - We Move Together

Tools and resources to support people living with long term health conditions to be more physically active. Visit the website by clicking here

Parkrun

Parkrun Scotland offer a number of weekly 5 km park runs that take place in local parks. These are free of charge and are open to everyone! You can walk, jog, skip, run, volunteer, or spectate. You can participate as a family, take your toddler in a pram for a walk, or take your dog on a leash for a walk too - there is no time limit and no one finishes last! Find out more here

Play Scotland

Play Scotland is the lead organisation for the development and promotion of play in Scotland and share a range of helpful information and resources via their website. View the website by clicking here .

The Daily Mile

The Daily Mile is physical activity initiative that promotes Health and Wellbeing for every child. It is active in every Local Authority in Scotland. Find out more here

Below is a list of key strategy and policy links regarding physical activity and nutrition for children and young people. These documents should be used to inform planning and delivery within classrooms and school communities. Please note that clicking on these documents will take you to external websites. 

General

A healthier future: Scotland's diet and healthy weight delivery plan (2018)

Health and wellbeing in adolescence and early adulthood 

Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027

Physical Activity

A More Active Scotland: Scotland’s Physical Activity Delivery Plan  

Cycling - Glasgow City Council

Play Strategy for Scotland: Our Action Plan  

Public Health Scotland - A systems-based approach to physical activity in Scotland

Transport Scotland Active Travel Framework  

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - UNICEF UK   (refer to article 31)

Nutrition

Better eating better learning (2014) 

Beyond the School Gate (2014) 

Glasgow City Food Plan (2021-2031) 

Good Food Nation Policy (2014)   

Healthy eating in schools: guidance 2020  

Setting the table guidelines pre-5 

Statutory guidance supporting the implementation of the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020