Who we are

Obesity Policy Coalition

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%.

Concerns about these increasing levels 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.

The OPC was established by:

Objectives

The broad objectives of the Obesity Policy Coalition are to identify, analyse and advocate for evidence-based policy and regulatory initiatives to reduce overweight and obesity, particularly in children, at a local, state and national level.

Policy focus

The major areas of policy interest are to:

analyse and prioritise policy initiatives that are likely to have an impact on reducing obesity, particularly in children
undertake research to provide the evidence base for policy proposals
encourage all levels of government to support evidence-based policy initiatives to address the overweight and obesity epidemic, and
provide leadership to guide and assist researchers and policy professionals working on obesity and overweight issues in Australia.

Legal and regulatory focus

The Obesity Policy Coalition aims to help bring about:

enforcement of existing laws that support obesity prevention – by persuading regulatory agencies to take enforcement action, particularly in relation to food marketing practices
law reform to support obesity prevention – by advocating for reform or development of law and regulation that may help prevent obesity. For example, around:

food composition

pricing

availability

marketing – including food advertising, promotion and labelling

urban planning, and

transport.

See our National and Victorian submissions