National Nutrition Survey Needed in War Against Obesity 'Epidemic'

As obesity stories dominate the media in three States - NSW, Victoria and South Australia - Dr Haikerwal reiterated the dire prediction that this generation of children may well be the first generation of Australians that does not outlive their parents.

Dr Haikerwal said that while the AMA believes that physical activity is a weapon against obesity, the Association also agrees with the research findings of Dr Michael Booth (SMH, page 1, 22/4/06) that show simply increasing the levels of physical activity for children is not the answer to the current obesity epidemic - nutrition is the key.

"The key to winning the obesity 'war' is to educate people about nutrition and getting our kids eating the right foods and the right balance of foods," Dr Haikerwal said.

"To ensure that a nutrition education campaign is effective, we need to get a national snapshot of what Australian children and adults are eating, and the only way to do that is to conduct a National Nutrition Survey.

"The Government must provide funding in the Budget for a National Nutrition Centre to conduct the survey.

"The AMA is advocating key messages on nutrition - variety of foods, appropriate caloric intake (energy balance), and to consult your doctor for further advice on nutrition.

"We have to promote greater nutritional literacy in the general population - among children and their parents. There has to be a push from the Federal Government to show leadership.

"The Government dropped the ball last week by not proceeding with its under-funded $3 million child-focussed obesity data collection exercise, but the latest research has placed greater urgency on this exercise and other work the Government should be doing.

"Banning junk food ads in children's TV viewing time would be a good start," Dr Haikerwal said.

The AMA has written to Health Minister, Tony Abbott, seeking a meeting to discuss programs to address the childhood obesity epidemic.