Humanities Portfolio Item: Obesity
Obesity is increasing in the Australian community. Among the developed nations Australia has one of the highest rates of adult and childhood obesity.
11.9 Adults in normal, overweight and obese BMI categories (a)(b)(c)
‘Around 25% of Australian children are currently overweight or obese’ (ASSO, 2008)
Obese children can suffer from a number of problems such as physical, social and emotional health problems (DAA, 2010). Obesity is increasing in Australia because there is an increase in sedentary activities and the use of cars as transport. Also, children are consuming more high fat and high energy foods and the amount of physical activity they participate in is decreasing (Health NSW, no date)
Parents
Parents have a responsibility to learn about healthy eating habits and teach their children to healthy food from an early age. Some eating suggestions are, encourage children to drink water, plan for healthy snacks, avoid the use of food as either reward or punishment, plan to eat home cooked meals as a family, discourage eating meals or snacks while watching TV, and encouraging children to eat healthy breakfast (Health NSW). Also, parents should do exciting physical activities together with their children and encourage friends and family members to adopt a healthier lifestyle (DAA, 2010).
Schools
Schools need to teach children about healthy eating habits and also teach them about living a healthy and active lifestyle. Outdoor sports and other physical activities should be promoted in schools as an important part in the daily schools activities. A new strategy called ‘The Fresh Tastes NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy was launched to promote eating healthy food in schools. The strategy encourages schools to sell healthier food in school canteens and to follow regulations to ensure that they do not to sell high fat or high sugar foods or drinks through over the counter sales (Health NSW).
Government
Advertisements for fast foods should be properly regulated. Currently advertising is self-regulated and it has been criticised because it is not effective as the advertisers are not complying with these rules.
“The Federal Government needs to put in place legislation that protects children and supports parents.” (Obesity Policy Coalition, 2009)
An Australian study found that banning unhealthy food advertising on TV would be far more cost effective than other initiatives. Advertising on television misleads young children and they are easily influenced by what they see.
“Studies indicate that up to the age of 8 years, children do not understand the intent of advertising and therefore cannot effectively evaluate advertising claims.” (Ibid, 2009)
Economics
The cost of obesity to the economy is enormous. About $2.4billion a year goes on the direct costs of treating obese and overweight people. The indirect costs - lost work productivity, absenteeism and unemployment - are even higher at about $9billion a year.
And these costs are going to keep rising because the percentage of people who are overweight or obese is rising. According to the International Obesity Taskforce, by 2025 one in every three adults will be obese if current trends continue (ABC Health & Wellbeing, 2010).
Bibliography
Lavell, P. The Cost of Obesity, ABC Health & Wellbeing, accessed from www.abc.net.au/health/default.htm, 2010
Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity (ASSO), Obesity in Australian Children, accessed from www.asso.org.au 2008
New South Wales Department of Health, Fact sheet: Overweight and obesity in Australian children, accessed from www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/healthpromotionbesity/factsheet2001
Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA), Childhood Obesity, accessed from www.daa.asn.au May 2010
Obesity Policy Coalition, Final kids TV advertising standards leave Australian children vulnerable to exploitation, 1 September 2009, accessed from http:www.opc.org.au/article.asp?ContentlD=mr20090901