Q Who ate all the pies? A All of you tubby Scots

Sep 30 2007 Elaine C. Smith

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHUMPS

I AM far from being a skinny person...the last time I saw a size 10 was in second year at high school and I love my grub.

But I do have to ask: What is happening to us?

Scotland has the second worst obesity record in the developed world. We are killing ourselves and our children.

I hate to judge others, particularly women, on their size and shape. They get enough punishment for that.

But I am shocked at the size of so many people I see when I am out and about.

I have never seen so many chronically overweight people. It breaks my heart, for the myth of the jolly fat person is just that...a myth.

I don't want to hector or lecture them but I do want to ask them what is wrong.

What is it that makes people so miserable that they want to stuff all their emotions down with food?

At the core I believe they are deeply unhappy. Some of us use drink, drugs or fags to deal with anxiety...these people clearly use food. Worse, they are passing it on to their kids.

This problem is more than just about eating healthily and an occasional walk. It's normal to go on holiday and put on a few pounds, or eat more during the winter...our bodies can cope with that.

But the scale of obesity is huge. There is a massive emotional problem here with our attitudes to food and drink and that has to be taken into account as we try to tackle this issue.

It's something that is ingrained in our culture and only radical action can solve it.

I really hope the pilot scheme for free school meals for Primary One to Primary Three is a success.

I support the idea that, for all our kids, school meals should be free. It's a great investment for the future...nutritious meals every day will make sure our kids at least know what a decent meal tastes like.

I would also ban all burger vans from the school gates.

Why can't we have Pret a Manger or the stalls at stations and airports that do great soup-and-asandwich set-ups in the playgrounds or dinner halls at lunchtime?

I'm sure we would get a free or subsidised rate for a huge contract.

Our kids shouldn't be allowed out through the school gates at lunchtime, either.

My own kids hated me for saying this. They want to wander down the main street for chips and curry sauce or a roll and fritter and often do...even though it drives me daft.

If it was a blanket ban - as it was when I was at school - then they would just have to grin and bear it and stay in - to enjoy school dinners.