Nutritionists deliver hard hitting message to Alex Salmond

In this article Donna MacAllister talks to Alex Salmond about his promise to get the nation fitter.

“We’ve got a long way to go in the health of the nation but I’m leading by example. I’ve lost two stones,” says Mr Salmond, leaning back in his chair and looking at his midriff. “I’m doing my best because I think it’s important if you’re putting forward a message.”

Scotland’s leader looks relaxed and casual in his polo shirt and training shoes, enjoying a tie-free Saturday morning opening the Yes shop in Inverness, beaming at the large crowd that has gathered around the Union Street venue to see him. In my rare chance for a sit-down with the First Minister I choose to put Scotland’s generally appalling diet - one of life’s great oddities for a nation blessed with the finest natural produce in the world - on the table for discussion.

Two months ago a think-tank warned Scotland’s comparatively poorer health record, to the rest of the UK, means policy-makers north of the border must work harder to improve the nation’s health in order to ensure that Scots are fit to work longer as the population ages. It said an independent Scotland should not rely on oil and gas revenues to offset the economic burden of an ageing population.

Ticking off the initiatives put in place by the government to give the nation a health kick, Mr Salmond said much had been made of the Glasgow Commonwealth to inspire school-aged youngsters.

A programme launched in 2011 to engage communities in the countdown to the summer event is financed by a sports and activity fund called Active Places, which aims to get more pupils physically active.

And let’s not forget, he says, that by next January, all 165,000 Scottish P1-P3 pupils will get free school meals in a move worth £330 a year for each child "a big saving for families".

“One of the most convincing reasons for the free school meals policy is that if we handle that properly it gives you a great opportunity to shape the diets and give children the best start in life, which obviously has a great effect on attitudes as time goes on. We have got the best produce in the world - if we could just eat it occasionally,” he said.

Therese Poon, who runs a healthy living complimentary therapy course at the Riverdale Centre in Inverness, agreed.

“Scotland, like Alex Salmond said, has got amazing produce,” she said. “Even your water is so clean, it’s fantastic. Your resources are just wonderful as long as you stay away from genetically modifying, which for the most part you are.”

The Australian citizen, who lived in China and America before settling in Scotland, said clients came to her when the damage caused by poor living had already been done.

She said: "I have met very few people in all of the countries that I have lived who consider that they have their health in their own hands."

The wellbeing instructor also goes to school and delivers talks. Ignorance about health and diet was eye-opening, she said.

“It’s just astonishing to see how little they know about keeping healthy but they’re surrounded by all those things that are available and no-one says frozen foods from the microwave are not that good for you. They like my talks because I make it fun and that’s a part of my job I really love because I really make them think.”

Ms Poon (30) is not sure how long it could take to turn round the health of the nation, but believes education is the key.

“Once the country truly addresses how much sugar goes into its food and the knowledge of what it does to your body is fully realised I think there could be a change. But that’s about funding and education. How long that would take I just don’t know but I’m very curious to see how it goes.”

Ellen Addison, who runs massage therapy session at the Church Street centre, said the government must lead the way.

“My view on this is that we need to be more of a nanny state,” she said. “People need someone to guide them but they’re being guided the wrong way. They’re being guided by junk food adverts and nobody is steering people in a healthy direction. The change has got to come from up-on-high.”

The 41-year-old former fitness instructor, who lives on the Black Isle, in Avoch, said Mr Salmond had to show that he meant business.

She added: “If Alex Salmond wants to sort out this country then we need some government policies that are going really get to the bottom of this and tax sugar and other bad foods. But I think the government feels it can’t tax them because it gets so much money from them. Where is all going to end? A lot of people come to me who are in a terrible state because they are stressed, they sit at their desks, they sit in their cars all day, they’re not eating well and they have bodies that are not functioning as they should. I think we have gone too far and people no longer have the ability to sort themselves out.”

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