Obesity prevention initiatives

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

Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC)

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

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

Action undertaken by the OPC

Preparation of a state election policy platform to support the prevention of childhood obesity. Meetings held with DHS bureaucrats, Minister for Health and the Shadow Health Minister.

Paper prepared on regulatory and policy options in relation to an upcoming review of the Children’s Television Standards by the Australian Media and Communications Authority in mid 2007.

Successful complaints to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) about food marketing that breached the Trade Practices Act, e.g. a recent complaint expressing concern that Uncle Toby’s marketing strategy for Fruit Roll-Ups was in breach of the Trade Practices Act was upheld by the ACCC.

Submissions to Privacy Commissioner, Australian Communications Marketing Authority, Consumer Affairs Victoria on direct marketing of unhealthy food to children.

Obesity-related statistics

About 25-30% of Australian children are overweight or obese. The increase of overweight and obesity is one of the biggest health threats facing Australian children.
Overweight is now the leading cause of premature death and illness in Australia, ahead of tobacco smoking.
A Bureau of Statistics survey found watching TV is the number one pastime for Australian children, with children watching an average of 10 hours of television a week.
Australian studies over the last 10 years have consistently shown between 55 and 81% of food advertisements shown during children's viewing time are for unhealthy foods of low nutritional value such as confectionery, sweetened breakfast cereals and fast food.
Almost 60% of boys and 40% of girls have more than one high sugar drink every day, such as soft drinks, cordial, fruit drinks and energy drinks.
Less than one quarter of children eat enough vegetables and over 30% of children do not have the recommended two pieces of fruit per day.
More than half of students have more unhealthy foods in their lunchbox than is recommended for the whole day.
Children are now 3.5 times more likely to be in front of a computer or television screen after school than playing sport.
72.3% of children in grades 3–6 are driven to school; 61% of these children said they would prefer to walk to school if given the choice.

For further information visit www.opc.org.au

The Parents Jury

The Parents Jury is a web-based network of parents who wish to improve the food and physical activity environments for children in Australia.

The Parents Jury is a forum for parents to voice their views on children's food and physical activity issues, and to collectively advocate for the improvement of children’s food and physical activity environments such as reduced marketing targeted at young children, more healthy choices for school canteens, and making neighbourhoods safer and more child-friendly.

The Parents Jury is coordinated and administered by Diabetes Australia – Vic, The Cancer Council Australia and Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity (ASSO) with funding support from VicHealth.

What action has been undertaken by The Parents Jury?

Junk Food Free Checkouts: Our aim is to work towards 50% of supermarket checkout counters, and their immediate vicinity, to be free from the sale of all junk food products.

The Parents Jury commissioned the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer at The Cancer Council Victoria, to conduct a research survey into the placement of onfectionery and snack foods at supermarket check-outs in Melbourne. The Parents Jury sent a copy of a supermarket survey to the CEOs of the leading supermarket chains and called for a ban on the sale of confectionery and unhealthy snack foods at 50% of checkout counters. Meetings were set up with representatives from Coles/BiLo, Ritchies and Foodworks supermarkets to discuss the issues. The concerns of the members of The Parents Jury were expressed and discussions took place regarding possible alternatives.

Junk Food Free Kids’ TV: Our aim is to substantially reduce the marketing of junk foods to young children, initially through a ban on television advertisements for these products during children's viewing hours.

The Parents Jury held the second annual Children's Food Ad Awards in 2006. The Awards program asks parents to nominate and then vote for the food ads shown during children's TV programs they love and hate most, and which have the greatest negative influence on their children.

For further information, visit 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 The 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 throughout 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: Twelve 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 further information, visit www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/kids