[The Conversation]

Australia Is Dragging Its Feet On Healthy Eating. In 5 Years We’ve Made Woeful Progress​

Australia is falling behind other countries in addressing the unhealthy state of our diets.

Several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico, have recently taken major steps to help improve population nutrition and prevent obesity.

But our latest assessment, released as part of the International Congress on Obesity, has found major holes in Australian government policy relative to international best practice, with limited policy progress in the past five years.

What we assessed?​

Our assessment of the federal government included a scorecard of how Australia is going in 50 policy areas for addressing unhealthy diets. These policy areas include key influences on what we buy and what we eat, including policies that affect the price and affordability of different foods, the types of food available, how food is labelled, and the way food is promoted.


We worked closely with government officials to document current action in each policy area. We then assessed how existing policies compared to international benchmarks.

Finally, we made recommendations to address the gaps, prioritising them based on their relative importance and feasibility. Eighty-four experts from 37 organisations participated in the assessment and prioritisation process.

How does Australia compare to other countries?​

We found implementation of globally recommended policies for improving population diets and addressing obesity in Australia falls far short of international best practice.

There has been only limited policy progress in Australia in the past five years.

​

Areas where Australia is doing well​

One of the only areas where Australia fared well was in the area of food labelling, where some of the regulations regarding ingredient lists, nutrition information panels and health claims was rated among the best in the world.

The other area that scored Australia top marks is that the GST does not apply to fresh fruit and vegetables, which helps lower their prices relative to other less healthy products.

What are other countries doing better?​

Several other countries have implemented policies to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods and make it easier for people to choose healthier options.

Countries in Latin America are leading the way globally. Chile has put in placecomprehensive restrictions on TV advertising for unhealthy food, conspicuous warning labels on the packaging of unhealthy products, as well as taxes on sugary drinks. Mexico has similar policies.

Elsewhere in the world, more than 50 countriesnow have taxes on sugary drinks. There is clear evidence these taxes have decreased consumption of the taxed products, while also incentivising soft drink manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their drinks.

Several other governments are taking strong action to protect children from exposure to marketing of unhealthy food. As an example, the United Kingdom is set to ban ads for unhealthy food online, and on TV before 9pm from 2024. Canada has similar laws before their parliament.

The UK also just introduced major changes to how supermarkets operate. Laws that came into effect this month mean unhealthy products can no longer be displayed in prominent in-store locations, such as shop entrances and checkout areas.

In addition, the UK has proposed a ban on price discounts on unhealthy food, although implementation remains uncertain with the recent change in government leadership.

Several other innovative policies are in place internationally. For example, in some parts of Mexico, retailers cannot sell unhealthy food to children. And in Argentina, there are laws dictating maximum sodium (salt) content in a range of products.

How bad are Australian diets?​

Unhealthy diets and obesity are the leading contributors to poor health in Australia.

Less than 7% of people in Australia consume a healthy diet consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Nearly 65% of Australian adults, and 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese.

While there isn’t good data on how these statistics have changed in the past few years, things have likely got worse since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Unless we see comprehensive government action to improve population diets, there will be enormous health and financial costs to individuals, communities and the economy overall.

What actions should Australia take?​

Federal government policy action is needed to improve population diets and address obesity. This includes:

• protecting children from exposure to the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages through comprehensive and consistent national legislation
• implementing a health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages (a sugar tax) and other unhealthy food, while addressing the affordability of healthy food
• improving food labelling by mandating the Health Star Rating scheme and requiring warning labels on products high in added sugar, sodium (salt) and/or saturated fat.

What’s holding us back?​

In the past 12 months, the former federal government released key strategies in this area, including the National Preventive Health Strategy (2021-2030) and the National Obesity Strategy (2022-2032). But this has yet to result in any changes on the ground.

Critically, there is strong support from the Australian community for governments to impose higher standards on marketing to support children’s health and wellbeing. More than 75% of Australians also back warning labels on unhealthy foods.

It is promising to see momentum building around a legislative ban on the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children.

But it’s now time for the federal government to catch up to the rest of the world and implement meaningful policy change to help Australians improve their diets.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Gary Sacks Associate Professor at Deakin University, Davina Mann Research Fellow at Deakin University

 

[Cher]

It's an answer a lot of people may or may not be aware of.
Australia is falling behind other democratic countries when it comes to regulating corporate influence over our federal politicians. There are industries that continue to use their wealth to manipulate Australia’s democratic processes. What is considered illegal and corrupt conduct overseas, seems to be classed as business as usual in Canberra.
They are capitalising on our government’s weak integrity laws. These corporate players also influence our politicians – whether that’s by contributing financially to a political party or lobbying and running public attack campaigns during elections.
For Australia to catch up with the rest of the world, we need common sense integrity reforms so that our politicians listen to the communities they are elected to represent, rather than the corporations that fund their campaigns.

For those that do not know, business lobbying is a recognised career with an estimated 5,000 professional lobbyists in Canberra. It is also a multi-billion dollar business.

 

[Penny4]

It's cheaper to buy junk food than healthy food. The food manufacturers don't want to listen.
It's not rocket science. Mainly eat a range of non processed foods with a few delish 'soul' foods.

 

[Ricci]

I wonder if a sugar tax would also include the myriad of sugar alternatives that are equally or more harmful, I would hope so.

 

[Macarj]

The sugar alternatives are worse for you than sugar

 

[Col@45]

Too many unhealthy and overweight people here in Australia and it seems to have become the normal, and the pressure it puts on our health system is not a good thing. The government should be dealing with this issue.

 

[Thecheesequeen]

It's cheaper to buy junk food than healthy food. The food manufacturers don't want to listen.
It's not rocket science. Mainly eat a range of non processed foods with a few delish 'soul' foods.

I don’t actually think it IS cheaper to buy junk food. Even fish and chips is a fairly expensive meal for a family. It’s $6 and more for a piece of fish around our area, and more if you want it grilled instead of battered. Multiply that by the number of people in the family, add the chips, and the price has exploded.

 

[freedy50]

Too many unhealthy and overweight people here in Australia and it seems to have become the normal, and the pressure it puts on our health system is not a good thing. The government should be dealing with this issue.

You seriously think the government should do something about unhealthy and overweight people?

Have you given up the idea that people should sort out healthy diets themselves? The only thing the government should do, as in other countries, is to tell food companies and supermarkets about salt and sugar content in foods if they don't do it themselves..

 

[MC12]

The sugar alternatives are worse for you than sugar

The chemical ones, yes, definitely. I've discovered several natural low or zero carb sweeteners, like monk fruit and natvia.

 

[DrivingGirl]

I don’t actually think it IS cheaper to buy junk food. Even fish and chips is a fairly expensive meal for a family. It’s $6 and more for a piece of fish around our area, and more if you want it grilled instead of battered. Multiply that by the number of people in the family, add the chips, and the price has exploded.

Always cheaper to cook your own food and better for you- no contest!

 

[RTS]

I don’t actually think it IS cheaper to buy junk food. Even fish and chips is a fairly expensive meal for a family. It’s $6 and more for a piece of fish around our area, and more if you want it grilled instead of battered. Multiply that by the number of people in the family, add the chips, and the price has exploded.

I love battered fish, but my daughter in law removes the batter and just eats the fish. She says it's more healthy than grilled.
Her dogs love the batter as a treat, and as they run around all the time she said it doesn't do them any harm.

 

[Penny4]

I don’t actually think it IS cheaper to buy junk food. Even fish and chips is a fairly expensive meal for a family. It’s $6 and more for a piece of fish around our area, and more if you want it grilled instead of battered. Multiply that by the number of people in the family, add the chips, and the price has exploded.

I class fish as healthy. It's always pricey. I'm probably referring to potato chips/fries, soft drinks, lollies, bought cakes, processed snacks .. you know the drift. Eat them in small quantities. I call them delish 'soul' foods ie. whatever takes your fancy.

 

[RTS]

It's an answer a lot of people may or may not be aware of.
Australia is falling behind other democratic countries when it comes to regulating corporate influence over our federal politicians. There are industries that continue to use their wealth to manipulate Australia’s democratic processes. What is considered illegal and corrupt conduct overseas, seems to be classed as business as usual in Canberra.
They are capitalising on our government’s weak integrity laws. These corporate players also influence our politicians – whether that’s by contributing financially to a political party or lobbying and running public attack campaigns during elections.
For Australia to catch up with the rest of the world, we need common sense integrity reforms so that our politicians listen to the communities they are elected to represent, rather than the corporations that fund their campaigns.

For those that do not know, business lobbying is a recognised career with an estimated 5,000 professional lobbyists in Canberra. It is also a multi-billion dollar business.

It's time there was more transparency in how politicians get income too.
They aren't on massive salaries but many of them end up quite wealthy after a stint in office.
This indicates that they're getting extra income from other sources, and may be accepting bribes.

 

[Shane O'Neill]

Australia Is Dragging Its Feet On Healthy Eating. In 5 Years We’ve Made Woeful Progress​

Australia is falling behind other countries in addressing the unhealthy state of our diets.

Several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico, have recently taken major steps to help improve population nutrition and prevent obesity.

But our latest assessment, released as part of the International Congress on Obesity, has found major holes in Australian government policy relative to international best practice, with limited policy progress in the past five years.

What we assessed?​

Our assessment of the federal government included a scorecard of how Australia is going in 50 policy areas for addressing unhealthy diets. These policy areas include key influences on what we buy and what we eat, including policies that affect the price and affordability of different foods, the types of food available, how food is labelled, and the way food is promoted.


We worked closely with government officials to document current action in each policy area. We then assessed how existing policies compared to international benchmarks.

Finally, we made recommendations to address the gaps, prioritising them based on their relative importance and feasibility. Eighty-four experts from 37 organisations participated in the assessment and prioritisation process.

How does Australia compare to other countries?​

We found implementation of globally recommended policies for improving population diets and addressing obesity in Australia falls far short of international best practice.

There has been only limited policy progress in Australia in the past five years.

View attachment 7792​

Areas where Australia is doing well​

One of the only areas where Australia fared well was in the area of food labelling, where some of the regulations regarding ingredient lists, nutrition information panels and health claims was rated among the best in the world.

The other area that scored Australia top marks is that the GST does not apply to fresh fruit and vegetables, which helps lower their prices relative to other less healthy products.

What are other countries doing better?​

Several other countries have implemented policies to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods and make it easier for people to choose healthier options.

Countries in Latin America are leading the way globally. Chile has put in placecomprehensive restrictions on TV advertising for unhealthy food, conspicuous warning labels on the packaging of unhealthy products, as well as taxes on sugary drinks. Mexico has similar policies.

Elsewhere in the world, more than 50 countriesnow have taxes on sugary drinks. There is clear evidence these taxes have decreased consumption of the taxed products, while also incentivising soft drink manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their drinks.

Several other governments are taking strong action to protect children from exposure to marketing of unhealthy food. As an example, the United Kingdom is set to ban ads for unhealthy food online, and on TV before 9pm from 2024. Canada has similar laws before their parliament.

The UK also just introduced major changes to how supermarkets operate. Laws that came into effect this month mean unhealthy products can no longer be displayed in prominent in-store locations, such as shop entrances and checkout areas.

In addition, the UK has proposed a ban on price discounts on unhealthy food, although implementation remains uncertain with the recent change in government leadership.

Several other innovative policies are in place internationally. For example, in some parts of Mexico, retailers cannot sell unhealthy food to children. And in Argentina, there are laws dictating maximum sodium (salt) content in a range of products.

How bad are Australian diets?​

Unhealthy diets and obesity are the leading contributors to poor health in Australia.

Less than 7% of people in Australia consume a healthy diet consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Nearly 65% of Australian adults, and 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese.

While there isn’t good data on how these statistics have changed in the past few years, things have likely got worse since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Unless we see comprehensive government action to improve population diets, there will be enormous health and financial costs to individuals, communities and the economy overall.

What actions should Australia take?​

Federal government policy action is needed to improve population diets and address obesity. This includes:

• protecting children from exposure to the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages through comprehensive and consistent national legislation
• implementing a health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages (a sugar tax) and other unhealthy food, while addressing the affordability of healthy food
• improving food labelling by mandating the Health Star Rating scheme and requiring warning labels on products high in added sugar, sodium (salt) and/or saturated fat.

What’s holding us back?​

In the past 12 months, the former federal government released key strategies in this area, including the National Preventive Health Strategy (2021-2030) and the National Obesity Strategy (2022-2032). But this has yet to result in any changes on the ground.

Critically, there is strong support from the Australian community for governments to impose higher standards on marketing to support children’s health and wellbeing. More than 75% of Australians also back warning labels on unhealthy foods.

It is promising to see momentum building around a legislative ban on the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children.

But it’s now time for the federal government to catch up to the rest of the world and implement meaningful policy change to help Australians improve their diets.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Gary Sacks Associate Professor at Deakin University, Davina Mann Research Fellow at Deakin University

Interesting to have the government telling people what to eat the problem is the modern age people are to lazy to cook like their grandparents, parents used to kid's nowadays don't get on bikes and get out into the environment computer game's,play stations phones etc both parents working and trying to (keep up with the Jones) instead of feeding themselves and family proper meals cut down on fast food adds etc would help but they pay huge fee's for adds so media corporations get rich think of your kid's first instead of possessions

 

[Tipsy]

Australia Is Dragging Its Feet On Healthy Eating. In 5 Years We’ve Made Woeful Progress​

Australia is falling behind other countries in addressing the unhealthy state of our diets.

Several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico, have recently taken major steps to help improve population nutrition and prevent obesity.

But our latest assessment, released as part of the International Congress on Obesity, has found major holes in Australian government policy relative to international best practice, with limited policy progress in the past five years.

What we assessed?​

Our assessment of the federal government included a scorecard of how Australia is going in 50 policy areas for addressing unhealthy diets. These policy areas include key influences on what we buy and what we eat, including policies that affect the price and affordability of different foods, the types of food available, how food is labelled, and the way food is promoted.


We worked closely with government officials to document current action in each policy area. We then assessed how existing policies compared to international benchmarks.

Finally, we made recommendations to address the gaps, prioritising them based on their relative importance and feasibility. Eighty-four experts from 37 organisations participated in the assessment and prioritisation process.

How does Australia compare to other countries?​

We found implementation of globally recommended policies for improving population diets and addressing obesity in Australia falls far short of international best practice.

There has been only limited policy progress in Australia in the past five years.

View attachment 7792​

Areas where Australia is doing well​

One of the only areas where Australia fared well was in the area of food labelling, where some of the regulations regarding ingredient lists, nutrition information panels and health claims was rated among the best in the world.

The other area that scored Australia top marks is that the GST does not apply to fresh fruit and vegetables, which helps lower their prices relative to other less healthy products.

What are other countries doing better?​

Several other countries have implemented policies to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods and make it easier for people to choose healthier options.

Countries in Latin America are leading the way globally. Chile has put in placecomprehensive restrictions on TV advertising for unhealthy food, conspicuous warning labels on the packaging of unhealthy products, as well as taxes on sugary drinks. Mexico has similar policies.

Elsewhere in the world, more than 50 countriesnow have taxes on sugary drinks. There is clear evidence these taxes have decreased consumption of the taxed products, while also incentivising soft drink manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their drinks.

Several other governments are taking strong action to protect children from exposure to marketing of unhealthy food. As an example, the United Kingdom is set to ban ads for unhealthy food online, and on TV before 9pm from 2024. Canada has similar laws before their parliament.

The UK also just introduced major changes to how supermarkets operate. Laws that came into effect this month mean unhealthy products can no longer be displayed in prominent in-store locations, such as shop entrances and checkout areas.

In addition, the UK has proposed a ban on price discounts on unhealthy food, although implementation remains uncertain with the recent change in government leadership.

Several other innovative policies are in place internationally. For example, in some parts of Mexico, retailers cannot sell unhealthy food to children. And in Argentina, there are laws dictating maximum sodium (salt) content in a range of products.

How bad are Australian diets?​

Unhealthy diets and obesity are the leading contributors to poor health in Australia.

Less than 7% of people in Australia consume a healthy diet consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Nearly 65% of Australian adults, and 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese.

While there isn’t good data on how these statistics have changed in the past few years, things have likely got worse since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Unless we see comprehensive government action to improve population diets, there will be enormous health and financial costs to individuals, communities and the economy overall.

What actions should Australia take?​

Federal government policy action is needed to improve population diets and address obesity. This includes:

• protecting children from exposure to the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages through comprehensive and consistent national legislation
• implementing a health levy on sugar-sweetened beverages (a sugar tax) and other unhealthy food, while addressing the affordability of healthy food
• improving food labelling by mandating the Health Star Rating scheme and requiring warning labels on products high in added sugar, sodium (salt) and/or saturated fat.

What’s holding us back?​

In the past 12 months, the former federal government released key strategies in this area, including the National Preventive Health Strategy (2021-2030) and the National Obesity Strategy (2022-2032). But this has yet to result in any changes on the ground.

Critically, there is strong support from the Australian community for governments to impose higher standards on marketing to support children’s health and wellbeing. More than 75% of Australians also back warning labels on unhealthy foods.

It is promising to see momentum building around a legislative ban on the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children.

But it’s now time for the federal government to catch up to the rest of the world and implement meaningful policy change to help Australians improve their diets.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Gary Sacks Associate Professor at Deakin University, Davina Mann Research Fellow at Deakin University

we are run by criminal corporations and they dont give a damn about the people. governments are only the front counter PUPPETS... Even the police departments and the courts are foreign registered Corporations