Australian Medical Association

Food provides our bodies with the energy, protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals to live, grow and function properly.  Concerning trends have been observed in the eating habits of many Australians and the implications are serious. The National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Draft Australian Dietary Guidelines 2011 provides population level guidance on healthy eating patterns and related guidance for health professionals.  

The AMA's Submission highlights that a range of measures is needed to improve nutritional literacy, including education on energy needs and portion sizes, improved food labelling, and affordable access to healthy food options.  The AMA Submission also identifies a need for practical resources aimed at medical practitioners including access to a database of locally available supports such dieticians, healthy cooking classes and walking groups.

An increasing number of Australians are at a high risk of serious disease and premature death because of excess body weight or obesity. The National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Clinical Guidelines on the Management of Overweight and Obesity is an important resource for medical practitioners who identify and support patients who are overweight and obese.  Medical practitioners also play a preventive role in identifying those patients who are at risk of becoming overweight, particularly children and young people.  

The AMA believes that a key challenge is to ensure that the Clinical Guidelines are practical and easy for medical practitioners to adopt as part of their clinical practice.  The AMA's Submission highlights the key role of medical practitioners in preventing overweight and obesity, particularly among children and young people, as well as providing support to those patients who wish to lose or maintain their current body weight.  The AMA Submission advocates around the development (with appropriate consultation) of practical resources, such as short term eating plans, evidence summaries, multi media videos and fact sheets that can support medical practitioners and patients in this area.

In recognition of the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, the AMA today released two new practical tools to help raise awareness of child and adolescent bullying and its health effects and to provide sound advice about who people can turn to for help.

The Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, The Hon Peter Garrett MP, and AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, launched the two new AMA brochures at Mascot Public School in Sydney this morning.

Bullying and cyber-bullying persist in the community, particulalry among children and adolescents. This resource for doctors provides a brief background on bullying, and some recognised approaches to raising and discussing this issue with young patientsand their parents.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today called on the Government and health groups to place a renewed focus on child and youth health issues in 2012.

Children and young people confront a range of health issues including poor diet and obesity, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and bullying.  The degree to which these conditions have an impact can be influenced by socio-economic factors.

MJA release - When it comes to preventing dog bites, outlawing dangerous breeds is futile – our focus should be on teaching children how to be more canine-savvy, writes Queensland paediatric surgeon, Professor Roy Kimble in an editorial in the December issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

Bullying can be a common occurrence among children and adolescents, including new forms such as 'cyber-bullying' through online and electronic media, such as facebook, twitter, sms, and email. This AMA youth health brochure provides information for young people on what bullying is, how it can occur, and what can be done to address it. A particular focus is cyber-bullying.

MJA release - Almost one in every 10 men under 30 years of age has regularly used or misused stimulant drugs like speed, ecstasy, cocaine or ice, according to a study published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today cautioned young people to play it safe as they set off for traditional Schoolies Week celebrations around the country to mark the end of a tough school year and, for many, the end of their high school days.

The Schoolies Week season commences this weekend in Queensland, with other States to follow in coming weeks.

The AMA is encouraging the broader community to take ownership of the health of young Australians during National Youth Week, which commences today with the theme ‘Own It’.

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said that it is important for the community to support and advise young people about the importance of staying healthy and avoiding unhealthy practices and substances.

“There are many health risks confronting young people today but one of the most dangerous – and one where the community as a whole can help – is alcohol abuse,” Dr Hambleton said.