The Healthy Eating, Active Living action plan set out the intention to establish a handful of Healthy Weight Communities across Scotland. These pathfinder programmes will aim to prevent obesity and associated illnesses, with an emphasis on addressing health inequalities. The objective of the Healthy Weight Communities will be to demonstrate the ways in which gathering together diverse projects, under the shared purpose of tackling obesity, may have a greater impact on health outcomes than dispersed activity. Local communities, families and young people in particular, will be engaged in programmes that embrace healthy eating, physical activity and healthy weight initiatives from a wide range of delivery partners, including the community food sector.

Invitations have been sent jointly by the Scottish Government and COSLA to the Chief Executives of local authorities seeking nominations for communities to participate in this project. The Scottish Government and COSLA expect delivery to be achieved in partnership with NHS Scotland, third sector bodies and local businesses. The deadline for submitting bids to participate is 10 April 2009.