Obesity prevention initiatives

We're involved in 3 initiatives aimed at reducing childhood obesity:

Obesity Policy Coalition

The Parents Jury

Kids – ‘Go for your life’

Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC)

The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) was established in mid 2006 by Deakin University, Diabetes Australia – Vic, Cancer Council Victoria and VicHealth, and is housed at Cancer Council Victoria.

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

The OPC has 4 major areas of interest, to:

1. Analyse and prioritise the policy initiatives that are both feasible and likely to have an impact on reducing obesity, particularly in children
2. Undertake the necessary research to provide the evidence base for policy proposals
3. Encourage the State and Australian governments to support evidence-based policy initiatives to address the overweight and obesity epidemic
4. Provide leadership to guide and help researchers and policy professionals working on obesity and overweight issues in Australia.

Our output

The OPC aims to influence change in policy and regulation through:

• Position and policy papers: We prepare position papers around policy issues that can support prevention of overweight and obesity, such as evidence of the effects of food marketing to children.
• Submissions: We prepare submissions in response to inquiries by Victorian and federal government bodies. We also make submissions to agencies that oversee self-regulations, such as the Advertising Standards Bureau.
• Complaints: We write complaints to regulatory and self-regulatory agencies about issues such as breaches of self-regulatory codes and regulations.
• Media: We respond to the media environment and create opportuntiites to promote our position on obesity prevention.

For further information visit www.opc.org.au

The Parents Jury

The Parents Jury is a web-based network of Australian parents who collectively advocate for the improvement of children's food and physical activity environments (such as reduced unhealthy food marketing to children, healthy choices for school canteens and activity-friendly neighbourhoods).

The Parents Jury is supported by Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia Vic, QLD & WA, the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS) and VicHealth.

As members, parents are eligible to vote in opinion polls and to submit their comments and views on nutrition and physical activity issues.

Information gathered from members contributes towards The Parents Jury's collective voice in the media and to lobby governments, food manufacturers and other key decision makers. The website also contains advocacy tips and resources to help members become Parent Champions for their children's health.

The Parents Jury holds the annual Children's Food Marketing Fame & Shame Awards to highlight the best and worst food marketing practices in Australia, as voted by members. The event features four ‘Shame' awards for the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children, and one Parents' Choice ‘Fame' award for the promotion of healthy food or drinks.

Membership of The Parents Jury is free and open to all Australian parents, grandparents and guardians of children aged 18 or under. Register online at www.parentsjury.org.au.

Kids – ‘Go for your life’

Kids – ‘Go for your life’ is a state-wide initiative funded by the State Government and managed by Diabetes Australia – Vic and Cancer Council Victoria. The program aims to reduce childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating and physical activity in childcare centres, kindergartens, primary schools, and to local governments and families in Victoria.

Kids – ‘Go for your life’ recognises that childhood is an important period in which children develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours for lifelong health and encourages childcare centres, kindergartens, primary schools and families to adhere to the following key habits to improve the health of Victorian children:

• Tap into water every day: Drinking tap water instead of sweet drinks provides hydration for concentration and learning and promotes healthy teeth.
• Plant fruit and veg in your lunchbox: Fruit and vegetables provide essential nutrients for healthy eyes, skin and hair and protect against many diseases.
• Limit ‘sometimes’ foods – target soft drinks, chips, chocolates, and lollies: Less ‘sometimes’ foods means children fill up on nutritious foods and drinks required for growth and lifelong health.
• Move, play and go every day: Physical activity promotes a longer, healthier life. Its many benefits include increased fitness, motor skills and confidence.
• Turn off, switch to play: Less screen time means more time for children to develop physical, social and emotional skills through physical activity.
• Stride and ride: Walking and riding are great ways to increase physical activity as well as reduce traffic congestion and promote a healthier environment.

What action is being undertaken by Kids – ‘Go for your life’?

Healthy Children’s Settings: Primary schools and children’s services can join the Kids – ‘Go for your life’ Awards Program and receive support, expert advice and a range of resources including handouts, newsletters, parent tip sheets, as well as program support materials.

Healthy Families and Children: Families are provided with resources and information such as tip sheets and recipes to help them be active and eat well.

Healthy Communities: 12 local government coordinators are working across Victoria to create local environments that support healthy eating and physical activity such as working with health, social, recreation and urban planners to develop supportive local policies.

Health Professionals: A Kids – ‘Go for your life’ Professionals Network has been established to provide information, training and support to health professionals to promote healthy eating and physical activity to children and families.

For more details see www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/kids

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