Call for sweet bevs levy
December 22, 2015
THE National Heart Foundation
(NHF) has called for a health levy
on sugar sweetened beverages,
and restrictions on the marketing
of junk food to children in an effort
to stem the tide of the growing
obesity epidemic.
In addition, the Foundation is
urging authorities to strengthen
the national food reformulation
program to reduce excessive
sugar, fat and salts and hasten the
implementation of the food stars
rating system.
Fewer than one in four Australians
will be in their normal weight
range by 2031–32 if current
trends continue, according to new
NHF and Deakin University joint
research.
In 2011–12, cardiovascular
disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes
accounted for $16b of total current
expenditure on health services in
Australia, the study showed.
This figure is expected to increase
to $58b or 14% of current health
expenditure in 2031–32.
The number of obese adults is
expected to double by 2031–32,
resulting in 41% of the adult
population being classified obese.
Total cost to community of CVD
and type 2 diabetes in 2011–12
attributable to elevated BMI is
$3.9b but increasing to $16.9b in
2031–32 if trends continue.
Extra expenditure for CVD and
type 2 diabetes from 2011–12 to
2031–32 due to excess weight is
estimated to be $187b with these
conditions overtaking smoking as
the leading preventable health
burden, said NHF’s gm for advocacy
Rohan Greenland.
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