AMA Backs Call to Address 'Diabesity' Disaster

Professor Paul Zimmet, Director of the Melbourne-based International Diabetes Institute, and Professor Philip James, Chairman of the International Obesity Taskforce in London, have coined the term 'diabesity' to describe the range of health problems associated with diabetes caused by obesity.

In an editorial in today's Medical Journal of Australia, the two experts say a ban on junk food advertising is one of a range of measures that could halt the spread of the childhood diabetes and obesity epidemics within just 12 months.

"It seems everybody but the Prime Minister and the Health Minister now recognises that there is a real problem with advertising junk food to children," Dr Haikerwal said.

"The AMA strongly believes that junk food advertising is not appropriate for children, and is contributing to the appalling situation in which Australia's childhood obesity rate is growing faster than that of any other country."

Professors Zimmet and James say a coordinated approach involving junk food advertising bans, more informative food labelling, stricter food and physical activity requirements in schools, making healthy food cheaper than junk food, and creating urban environments that encourage physical activity, could halt the rise of 'diabesity' within one year.

"Most of these are initiatives the AMA has already urged the Government to consider as a matter of urgency," Dr Haikerwal said.

"Food labels should provide consumers with easy to understand information to help them and their children eat the right amount for their energy needs.

"Cities should be made more mover-friendly, with more cycle paths and walkways.

"Schools should be supported in helping kids make healthy food choices and get more physically active.

"Most of these measures may seem simple and obvious, but together they could make a real difference to the health of our children and, in time, reduce the health costs to the nation."