Obesity changes in Oz
November 23, 2012
AUSTRALIA needs to change its
perception of obesity as well as the
condition’s prevalence and its
treatment, according to Obesity
Australia chair, Professor John Funder.
The comments come in the lead
up to next month’s obesity summit
in Canberra, with Funder saying
that changed community
perceptions are necessary to allow
a full range of public policy initiatives,
to stem the inflow into obesity and
to address established obesity.
“It is a disease, a complex
disorder, a personal issue with
genetic, epigenetic and societal
drivers, as well as a massive cost
issue in terms of health and
productivity,” he said.
“With the prevalence of
overweight and obesity increasing
threefold over the past 30 years and
61% of the Australian population
currently being overweight, of
whom a third are classed as obese,
we must have all stakeholders --
general practice, governments,
media, community interest groups,
the food industry and specialist
societies - fully understanding this
epidemic and working together to
stop it in its tracks,” he added.
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