New data released today from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has shown that overweight and obesity remain a major public health challenge, now affecting over 13 million adults and 1.4 million children. It continues to be the leading risk factor contributing to ill health and death, now ahead of tobacco smoking.
Concerningly, the data shows that obesity is starting earlier and affecting more people over their lifetime with overweight and obesity in children (5-17 years) increasing from 25% in 2017-18 to 28% in 2022-24.
Executive Manager of the Food for Health Alliance, Jane Martin says that this upward trend points to the urgent need for government action to protect children's health now and into the future.
"More than 1.4 million children are now above a healthy weight and the numbers are rising. The evidence shows that this can be a direct cause of poor health during childhood and adolescence, and if it persists into adulthood can lead to a higher risk of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and more than 13 types of cancer.
"Without stronger action, we risk failing an entire generation of children. We are almost halfway into the National Obesity Strategy roadmap, which sets a clear target of reducing overweight and obesity in children by 2032. But instead of making progress against this target, we're going backwards," she said.
Health Promotion Foundation, VicHealth CEO, Professor Anna Peeters AM said every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy and thrive.
“We all want children to live long, healthy lives and reach their full potential. But too often, the world around them undermines their health,” Professor Peeters said.
“Children are constantly exposed to unhealthy food marketing while families face growing pressure to put healthy food on the table.
“We need to put children’s health ahead of unhealthy food company profits, protect young people from predatory marketing, and make healthy food easier to access in every community.”
Ms Martin adds that "protecting children from unhealthy food marketing is critical to tackling rising rates of overweight and obesity. The Federal Government’s own feasibility study confirms that strong action is achievable and effective, so the time to act is now."
The Food for Health Alliance are calling for government to priorities obesity prevention with a range of evidence based polices that are supported by public health and the Australia community:
- Limit unhealthy food and drink marketing, especially to children
- Mandate the Health Star Rating system on all packaged supermarket foods
- Introduce a tax on sugary drinks companies to encourage them to cut sugar from their products
- Improve how all baby and toddler foods are made and marketed
Together, these actions would help create healthier food environments and support all Australians - especially children - to have healthier diets and better long‑term health outcomes.
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