Media releases

Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition has welcomed a commitment from the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation to review food labelling for added sugars but said implementation of the Health Star Rating must be rapid if real change is to be achieved.

A coalition of health experts is calling for increased action on obesity with a new report released today highlighting almost a quarter of Victorian children are overweight or obese.

As new data research published in the British Medical Journal shows a link between high consumption of sugary drinks and increased risk of cancer, the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) is calling on government to regulate the marketing and availability of these drinks.

New data shows overweight and obesity is now a leading contributor to Australia's burden of disease, second only to smoking.

The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has welcomed the federal Opposition's strong actions to tackle obesity in Australia.

After nearly ten years of self-regulatory codes governing what food companies can promote to kids, the Obesity Policy Coalition is calling on both political parties to introduce stronger restrictions and tough penalties to protect children.

The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) has welcomed the Queensland Government's move to ban junk food promotions on all Government-owned advertising spaces. Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the OPC, said the move signalled a key step towards reducing the state's childhood obesity rates and improving diets.

New South Wales is taking the most action of any Australian government to improve the healthiness of foods in school canteens and hospitals, while other states lag behind, according to Deakin University's report card on the status of Australia's obesity prevention policies.

The Advertising Standards Community Panel (the Panel) found McDonald's in breach of the Quick Service Restaurant Initiative for Responsible Advertising and Marketing to Children (QSRI) after a complaint by the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) was upheld.

Public health groups are calling on elite sporting clubs to clean their act up as new research shows mums and dads are sick of major sports codes partnering with junk food companies that put profits before health.

The Obesity Policy Coalition has welcomed a Senate Inquiry report into the Obesity Epidemic in Australia as an important step toward saving Australians from a lifetime of chronic disease and even premature death.

With the 35th national draft starting today, health experts are urging the AFL to pick healthier sponsors, as a new study exposes the extent to which Aussie kids are bombarded with junk food and sugary drink branding on TV during the national game.

As new data reveals the poor quality of Australians diets across the country, the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) is calling the urgent development of the recently announced national obesity strategy to tackle Australia's poor diets and spiralling obesity epidemic.

Jane Martin, Executive Manager of the Obesity Policy Coalition has welcomed today's important commitment from COAG Health ministers to develop a national strategy on obesity.

Childhood overweight and obesity rates in Victoria are sky rocketing faster than any other state, with new data showing almost 1 in 3 kids are now overweight or obese.