There are a range of policies that decision makers can implement to reduce the enormous strain excess weight and poor diets are having on the nation's physical and economic health. An agreed platform of practical, evidence-based actions, Tipping the Scales, has been put together by more than 35 leading community, public health, medical and academic groups calling for urgent Federal Government action to address Australia's serious obesity problem.
We've put together a selection of available resources and tips for action that you can take – from letting policy makers know how you feel, to driving change in your community and educating yourself and your family.
Contact your state or federal MP
Write to the editor of your local newspaper, highlighting your concerns about the impact of obesity and poor diet on your community. GetUp! has a practical guide online
Raise your concerns with your local council/school/sporting club/workplace and offer some practical tips and ideas for making healthy changes. Be inspired by what other organisations are doing about sugary drinks specifically on the Rethink Sugary Drink website
(VIC only) An accreditation program for workplaces, early childhood services and schools
Make Healthy Normal (NSW-based) has a list of programs which can help workplaces
Rethink Sugary Drink has a toolkit for workplaces and tips for schools to help them go sugary-drink free
Rethink Sugary Drink also runs Critics’ Choice so teachers can educate students in years 5 to 10 about the health impacts associated with regular sugary drink consumption
Resources designed to help patients and the community make healthy changes and to enable health professionals to learn more about obesity, healthy eating and LiveLighter
Latest data, guidelines, publications, case studies and other resources to educate professionals about sugary drinks. The settings resources page has some useful guidelines and suggestions
Meal and activity planners, healthy recipes, food label reading guide, sugary drinks calculator and more to help you lead a healthier lifestyle
Tips and resources to help families get healthy at school, at home and while out and about
Watch videos and read infographics showing how much sugar is in sugary drinks, learn tips for cutting back on sugary drinks, use the sugary drink calculator to see how far you’d have to walk to burn off your intake
Healthy recipes, tips, a quiz and more to challenge perceptions of what is normal and help create a new, healthy normal