A new report from the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing on obesity in Australia has called for some major changes in the way Australians live today.
The report 'Weighing it Up' has a total of 20 recommendations made by the Committee to help tackle the growing numbers of overweight and obese people in Australia.
According to the latest estimates over half of all Australian adults are currently overweight or obese and the committee's chairman Steve Georganas says this has significant health and economic implications for Australia - he says in 2008 the evidence suggests that obesity cost the Australian economy over $8 billion and this includes the costs to the health system as a result of rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and the complications associated with surgery and other interventions.
The Committee has called for national urban planning guidelines that encourage bicycle and pedestrian friendly communities, more facilities for physical activity and more support for school and community programs that teach children and adults to grow, prepare and eat fresh fruit and vegetables as an alternative to high fat, high sugar and high salt foods.
The report two key recommendations are better urban design of cities and suburbs to encourage people to be more active and a greater focus on teaching children the importance of healthy eating and exercise.
The Committee has also called on the food industry and the government to get together to develop guidelines to lower sugar, salt and fats in processed food and to also develop consistent nutritional advice on food labels and says more detailed information on the weight of Australians and their levels of physical activity is needed along with better public health campaigns about obesity and the benefits of healthy lifestyles.