Ambitious plans in the National Obesity Strategy

The federal government has launched its National Obesity Strategy which aims to reduce overweight and obesity rates. The strategy has the twin goals of countering the trend of increasing adult obesity around the country and of reducing the level of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents by 5% come 2030.

Some of the ambitions listed in the strategy include: making processed food healthier, reducing marketing of unhealthy food, making healthy food more affordable, improving nutrition information on packaging, and building a healthier and more sustainable food system.

One of the example actions listed in the report includes the consideration of policy approaches that use price to reduce consumption of alcoholic and sugary beverages. Another example action that may be adopted under the strategy is a consistent national regulation for businesses through the food regulation system, to display energy content (kilojoules) of standardised ready-to-eat food on menus and at point of sale.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has endorsed the strategy, saying that food manufacturers will be cooperating with the government and its strategies in order to give consumers access to a wide variety of healthy foods and diet choices with appropriate labelling and marketing that helps shoppers buy healthy foods.

“We will work closely with government to develop some new initiatives targeting obesity, as well as continuing to support the ongoing good work of the Healthy Food Partnership,” said AFGC CEO Tanya Barden.

“Addressing obesity is an ongoing journey for the food industry as we create better products, market them responsibly and ensure consumers have the information they need to construct diets which promote and protect good health,” Barden said.

The food industry has been a strong supporter of other initiatives such as the Health Star Rating food labelling scheme and other voluntary actions including setting targets for food reformulation to reduce salt and sugar levels and preparing industry guidance on appropriate serving sizes to be shown on packaged food labels.

About one in four (23%) Australian consumers report that the front-of-pack Health Star Rating helps them choose healthier packaged and processed food and drinks so this scheme and others will continue to be improved upon in the new strategy.

Led by Queensland Health, endorsed by all state and territory governments and the Commonwealth, the strategy has been tailored to effectively engage with adults and children to achieve positive and lasting results.

A range of different methods will be used to reduce and prevent obesity, including programs to encourage exercise and healthier eating with lower intakes of discretionary foods that can lead to poor diets. The program also seeks to increase access to health care as well as to address the stigma and discrimination against overweight people.

“Our primary focus is on prevention and the factors which contribute to this major health issue. It will also support the 14 million Australians living with being overweight or obesity, to live a healthier life,” said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.

“We know Australians in good health are better able to lead fulfilling and productive lives, and can participate fully in their community, their jobs and their education. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of our health and the economic benefits health can bring.”

The National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032 is available here.

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