Victorian Government steps up fight against childhood obesity

A practical healthy eating advice hotline for early childhood services and schools will be at the heart of the Victorian Government's new fight against childhood obesity.

Victorian Minister for Health David Davis said the Victorian Government would deliver more than $40 million in new preventative health initiatives for children, explaining that the latest research showed an increasing number of Victorian adults and children are overweight or obese.

Minister Davis stated "almost half of Victorian adults are overweight or obese, and if that trend continues over half of the adult population in Victoria will be overweight or obese in two years time.

"About 25% of children are overweight or obese, a massive increase from 5% in the 1960s."

Minister Davis says that the Victorian Government is committed to encouraging all Victorians to live active and healthy lifestyles and tackling rising obesity among children, adding "obesity is a major factor contributing to chronic disease and is directly linked to unhealthy food choices, poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity.

"A healthy diet is the foundation of good health, so that is why we are delivering over $3 million to establish a new Victorian Healthy Eating Advisory Service.

"This service is the first step in a broader, new package of more than $40 million to promote the health of children and young people in Victoria.

"Further exciting initiatives and programs will be announced in coming months."

The $40 million package will involve:

• A new Victorian 'Health Promotion for Children' policy to guide practice for promoting the physical health, social and emotional development of children and young people;

• A recognition and award program to support developing and good practice for schools and early childhood settings;

• A public education, engagement and social marketing strategy;

• The Centre of Excellence in Intervention and Prevention Science to gather the best possible research partners to support communities in preventative health research;

• Led by local government, it is expected that a comprehensive community-based approach will roll out across 12 new prevention areas. The establishment of prevention teams will help support early childhood services and schools; and

• New healthy living programs considered for with early and primary school aged children.

Minister Davis said the Victorian Healthy Eating Advisory Service will provide healthy eating and nutrition advice to early childhood services, primary and secondary schools, as well as hospitals.

"The phone and internet based service will conduct menu assessments, train food service staff and provide resources and support.

"It will help schools implement healthy canteen policies, early childhood services to meet national standards and hospitals to implement healthy food and drink choices in their retail food service outlets."

Advice provided by the service will be consistent with the National Health and Medical Research Council's Australian Dietary Guidelines, which outlines the food requirements of children, young people and adults.

Minister Davis said research shows food consumed outside the home is more energy dense, larger in portion size and often higher in saturated fat and salt than meals prepared at home, concluding "we are responding to rising obesity with new initiatives that make healthier choices easier choices.

"The new Victorian Healthy Eating Advisory Service is a great example of this, providing a single and simple advice service for all schools, early childhood services, and hospitals.

"They will be able to access the website and phone hotline for advice on healthy eating and how to make simple but important changes to their menus and ensure students and employees have access to a healthy diet.

"Changes could include increasing rows of plain water in your drink fridge, oven bake instead of deep fry, to using wholemeal or multigrain breads and reduced fat cheese and mayonnaise."

It is expected the service will be commence later in the year.

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