Prevalence of overweight and obesity has risen steadily in Australian adults and children for two decades or more. Recent data suggest that more than half the adult population and around one in four Australian children are now overweight or obese. Obesity has a highly complex aetiology and enormous health, social and economic consequences. There is no simple solution – a sustained, coordinated and highly focused national effort will be required to reverse the current trend.
CCI advocates policy development that is underpinned by sound evidence and a government industry partnership to transition the food market toward one that is characterised by greater availability and greater acceptance of healthy food choices. Comprehensive education and health promotion strategies that allow individuals to make informed choices and encourage them to accept responsibility for lifestyle behaviours, rather than regulatory and/or economic measures that seek to punish poor lifestyle choices, should form the cornerstone of an obesity policy framework.