4. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales — Our national ambitions to prevent and reduce obesity in Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:51 pm on 29 January 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 4:51, 29 January 2019

Thank you for your comments and questions and the broad welcome for the consultation. To try and take them in reverse order, we're clear that we'll be looking at the clinical pathway for dealing with obesity; we recognise that there's more that we need to do, and, again, greater consistency and learning from where that's most successful in the country. 

I think your point about GPs having difficult conversations is actually about how contact is regular with different parts of our health and care system. So, it's not just an issue for general practitioners, but, again, how sensitively the conversation takes place and whether the offer of help and support is available. Most people actually want to be a broadly more healthy weight and shape, and they're aware of that, and the challenge is how we help people to do so in a way that is empowering and not judgmental, as I've said many times before.

On your broader point about food labelling, that's the point behind the consultation—to understand that there are different views, but many food businesses already provide the average calories in a serving, whether you're in a large multiple or even in smaller outlets as well. So, we're looking to consult to try and understand what that might look like. On your broader point about changing diet, that is exactly one of the reasons why we're here—not just about more fat, more sugar and more salt, but actually a lack other points within our diets as well. 

And the points about energy drinks, breastfeeding, and, indeed, the curriculum, I think have been made in previous contributions so I won't test the patience of the Deputy Presiding Officer by repeating answers I've already given.