Media Releases and Communiques
Obesity a National epidemic
Australian Health Ministers acknowledged that the nation is facing an epidemic of obesity and agreed that joint national action must be taken to increase healthy eating and physical activity amongst children, young people and their families.
28 November 2003
Joint Communique
Obesity a National epidemic
Australian Health Ministers, meeting in Sydney today, acknowledged that the nation is facing an epidemic of obesity and agreed that joint national action must be taken to increase healthy eating and physical activity amongst children, young people and their families.
Considering the final report of the National Obesity Taskforce, entitled Healthy Weight 2008 - Australia's Future - A National Action Agenda for Young People and their Families, Ministers agreed that reducing obesity levels will take some time but further action needed to start now to build on work already commenced in several states.
They agreed that families, schools, child care centres, general practitioners, food manufacturers, retailers, sporting groups, urban planners, the media, community health centres, workplaces and many other groups all have a role to play and should be the focus of sustained programs to reduce overweight and obesity and the harm it causes.
Ministers have asked the National Obesity Taskforce to lead and coordinate the implementation of the national action agenda to tackle obesity and to develop further advice on strategies to reduce obesity in adults and older Australians.
Ministers agreed that obesity is a major cause of preventable health problems in Australia and Australian's sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits are creating a huge health and financial burden for individuals, governments and society as a whole.
There are currently an estimated 1.5 million young people under 18 years of age in Australia who are overweight or obese and at substantially increased risk of chronic conditions such as Type II Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancers and musculoskeletal problems.
Ministers agreed a long term, whole of government and cross-sectoral approach was needed to tackle the problem, to create build environments that are conducive to being physically active, to provide healthy food choices and access to fresh fruit and vegetables and to increase community awareness and support to help people to maintain healthy lifestyles.
Media contact: Kay McNiece, Media Adviser, AHMC, 0412 132 585
