Additional areas of policy and law that relate to obesity are discussed in submissions and policy briefs.
Policy briefs
Overweight, obesity and chronic diseases in Australia
In Australia, rates of overweight and obesity have increased alarmingly in recent decades in all age groups. Poor diets, overweight and obesity are leading contributors to burden of disease in Australia. This policy brief argues that a comprehensive approach is urgently required to achieve behaviour change, improve diets and lifestyles, and reduce obesity and the burden of chronic disease in Australia.
Prioritising health: Reforming Planning Laws to Reduce Overweight and Obesity in Australia
Australian planning laws operate largely without regard for public health goals. There is a growing body of research into the impact of urban planning on health and non-communicable disease, through influencing physical activity levels and diet. This policy brief examines that evidence, and highlights the need for reform of planning laws by state governments to impact rates of overweight and obesity and to improve health in Australian communities, with options for changes.
Submissions
International submissions
World Health Organization Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity
The WHO Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity was established in 2014 to review, build upon and address gaps in existing mandates and strategies. It has released a report which includes recommendations for tackling childhood obesity and an implementation plan to support the report.
National submissions
The Senate Select Committee into the obesity epidemic in Australia
This submission highlights the need for a comprehensive approach supported by a long-term national strategy to improve diets and tackle the spiralling impact obesity, and associated chronic disease, are having on our healthcare system, economy and society as a whole.
Australia’s progress in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child
The OPC’s submission contends that implementing strong government controls on marketing of unhealthy food to children is an important step in fulfilling our obligations under the Convention, in particular ensuring that we implement the protections in Articles 17 and 24 and that our children’s best interests are Australia’s primary consideration.
Review of fast food labelling schemes
The OPC’s submission outlines measures to strengthen fast food labelling regulation and recommends that legislation is standardised to produce a nationally consistent approach across all jurisdictions, including Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, which are yet to introduce legislation.
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Tipping the Scales: Australian Obesity Prevention Consensus
In September 2017 more than 30 leading community, public health, medical and academic groups united for the first time to call for urgent Federal government action to address Australia's serious obesity problem in this ground breaking report.
Review of Australian Consumer Law
The OPC's submission to the review of the Australian Consumer Law has a focus on improving the application and enforcement of the Australian Consumer Law in the area of marketing food and beverages, particularly to children.
National Diabetes Strategy
The OPC's submission supports the development of an Australian National Diabetes Strategy and highlights the importance of it supporting policy and regulatory interventions to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australia.
State submissions
Public health and wellbeing plan 2015–2019 (Victoria)
The OPC's submission focuses on how the Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 20152019 may best support Victorian state and local governments to take the urgent steps needed to improve diets and reduce the impacts of overweight and obesity in Victoria.
NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues Inquiry into Childhood Overweight and Obesity
This submission highlights the need for a government led, comprehensive and multi-sector approach to obesity prevention with a focus on strategies that could be introduced in NSW and references to evidence-based strategies best addressed at a national level.