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Would you like a cartoon character with that?
Obesity inquiry lacks teeth on ads and labelling: 2 June 2009
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Health groups slam Coca-Cola for misleading consumers: 2 April 2009
Concern about increasing levels of overweight and obesity in Australia prompted the formation of the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) in 2006. The OPC was established with the aim of influencing change in policy and regulation to support obesity prevention, particularly in Australian children.
Studies show that between 1985 and 1997 the combined rate of overweight and obesity in Australia doubled and obesity among young Australians (7–15 years) trebled. Indications are that overweight and obesity among children is not merely increasing but accelerating. On current trends, the rate of childhood overweight and obesity is expected to double over the next 30 years, reaching around 60%.
Overweight and obesity are influenced by an individual's physical, social and economic environment. Therefore, individuals must be viewed within the broader context of his/her neighbourhood, school, and community, together with policy at the local, state and national level.
Stemming the rising rates of overweight and obesity will take concerted action at all levels of civil society, the private sector and government. The OPC has proposed priorities for action for federal government policy initiatives to reduce the burden of overweight and obesity in Australia.
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