AMA Submission to Select Committee into the obesity epidemic in Australia

An increasing number of Australians are obese, and obesity is challenging tobacco smoking as the major cause of preventable death in Australia. Obesity substantially contributes to preventable, non-communicable diseases, shortened life expectancy and impaired quality of life. The implications for the Australian health system are drastic and rapidly growing. Education and awareness raising have been the foundation of efforts to address obesity in Australia. Undoubtedly good intentioned, education and awareness raising alone will not result in the population level changes we need to achieve in relation to overweight and obesity. Governments and the food industry must also contribute to the socially responsible and strategic response that we need in Australia.