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Weight gain is very simple maths. More energy in, than energy out. And while we are becoming less active (and burning less energy) for many reasons, this doesn't explain the explosion in weight gain. Living in an obesogenic environment (one that pushes us toward high energy, low nutritional value food in increasing volumes) does.
The politics of obesity prevention are interesting. Phillip Baker recently posted an article in The Conversation and a short excerpt is reprinted below.
Why we’re losing the battle of the bulge: the politics of obesity prevention
There’s no doubt that obesity has received considerable political attention over the past decade. But data recently released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows Australians are losing the battle of the bulge, with the proportion of overweight and obese Australians rising from 56% in 1995, to 61% in 2007-08.
Most policy responses have focused on downstream interventions such as social marketing campaigns and funding for school and community programs. But although important, these are expensive responses unlikely to make a dent in obesity levels.
Few policies that target the upstream drivers of the problem and reduce the toxicity of the food environment – such as bans on junk-food marketing to children, effective front-of-pack food labelling and taxing unhealthy products – have received political support.
One might argue therefore, that political responses to date have been more about creating a spectacle of “doing something” rather than actually solving the obesity problem.
You will find the full article here.
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We should legislate to ensure that food labels are easier to read. This might include a traffic light approach (supported by nutritionists but not food manufacturers), or at least ensuring the label is above a minimum size (some labels are so small the writing cannot be read without a magnifying glass). Mandating that restaurants work toward accepted and uniform portion sizes and that they display this on their menus (deciding on how much to order in a restaurant you don't know is pure guesswork). And finally, using any tax collected from the above measures to cross subsidise fresh foods and whole foods.
If we want to save our health system we need to take these kinds of steps now. We owe it to each other, but more than anything we owe it to the children who we would otherwise be sentencing to a lifetime of poor health, a struggle with their weight, and reduced life experiences and options.
It really is in everyone's best interests.
What are your thoughts?
views expressed here are those of the author and not necessarily reflective of the national or state ALP