The Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath has unveiled the National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032, which is to act as a blueprint to reduce overweight and obesity rates across the nation.
Ms D’Ath said the Strategy, led by Queensland Health and endorsed by all State and Territory Governments and the Commonwealth, had been tailored to effectively engage with adults and children to achieve positive and lasting results.
“This Strategy has two main targets: The first is to halt and reverse the trend of rising adult obesity rates, and the second to reduce childhood overweight and obesity by at least five per cent by 2030,” she said.
“Meeting these targets means about 50,700 more children and teens would be in a healthy weight range in Queensland alone.”
The Minister said research showed two-thirds of adults and one in four children were overweight or living with obesity across the State.
Ms D’Ath said Health and Wellbeing Queensland would drive pivotal aspects of the Strategy through an agreed action plan.
“Health and Wellbeing Queensland will implement the action plan, which will be guided by creating equity, tackling weight stigma and discrimination, addressing the wider determinants of health and sustainability, and empowering personal responsibility to support healthy living,” she said.
Chief Executive of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Robyn Littlewood said it was critical to address obesity to protect the future health of the Queensland community and ease pressure on the State’s health system.
“The Strategy’s action plan provides the platform to enable the next generation to live healthier and more active lives,” Dr Littlewood said.
Ms D’Ath said almost 2,750 Australians, including researchers, industry, non-Government organisations and consumers, helped develop the Strategy.
The 87-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
