Media releases

The Obesity Policy Coalition has applauded the ACT Government for moving to phase out sugary drinks from government schools therefore removing one of the biggest contributors to extra sugar in children's diets.

Almost seven out of 10 Australian adults believe the sponsorship of children's sporting activities by fast food chains such as McDonald's and KFC should be restricted, if not stopped entirely.

As Mexico enters the final stages to introduce a tax on sugary soft drink and junk food, new public opinion data reveals Australians are also in favour of pricing interventions to improve health, with more than two thirds (68%) in support of increasing the price of unhealthy foods and using the money to reduce the cost of healthy foods.

The Obesity Policy Coalition is calling on the Federal Government to commit to a national action plan to prevent obesity following today's release of figures by the National Health Performance Authority.

Peak health and community organisations have written to senior leaders in Coca-Cola's Australian and New Zealand operations calling for the company to stop weight-washing the issue of obesity with expensive advertising, and instead take practical steps to address the core drivers of weight gain.

As part of a policy announcement, the Greens have confirmed they will target junk food advertisers as part of a preventative health plan to tackle childhood obesity.

Community protests in the Dandenong Ranges against the development of a 24-hour McDonald's fast food outlet highlights the urgent need for potential health impacts to be considered in planning decisions, according to the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC).

For the second time in two weeks Kellogg's has been forced to withdraw two TV advertisements after a complaint from the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) was upheld by the Advertising Standards Board (ASB).

A complaint made by the Obesity Policy Coalition about a Kellogg's TV commercial directed to children has been upheld by the Advertising Standards Board this week and the ad has been removed from viewing.

Claims such as 'Good source of calcium and protein' and sports star endorsements on food packaging do influence children's choices.

A coalition of leading health agencies is calling on the Victorian Government to implement kilojoule and traffic light labelling on fast food menus in light of new research showing the combination of information can lead consumers to make healthier choices.

Today, the Obesity Policy Coalition, a coalition of leading health bodies, has released one of the most comprehensive investigations into Australia's self-regulatory system for food marketing ever undertaken.

The government and the Australian public should be wary of the Australian Food and Grocery Council's (AFGC) Healthier Australia Commitment, which was launched today, according to the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC).

The Victorian Health Monitor has found that obesity prevalence in Victoria has been grossly underestimated. The report found that, when measured, almost 25 per cent of the Victorian population has a BMI in the obese category, which is much higher than the 17 per cent rate based on self-reporting.

The OPC has backed an election commitment announced today by the ACT Greens to restrict junk food advertising directed at children. The proposed plan would mean junk food advertising was no longer able to be shown on TV when large numbers of children are watching.