Childhood obesity in Australia remains a widespread health concern that warrants population-wide prevention programs
Gill, T.P.; Baur, L.A.; Bauman, A.E.; Steinbeck, K.S.; Storlien, L.H.; Fiatarone Singh, M.A.; Brand-Miller, J.C.; Colagiuri, S.; Caterson, I.D.
Medical Journal of Australia 190(3): 146-148
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 19203314 Document Number: 630070
Recent reports have suggested that the problem of childhood and adolescent obesity has been exaggerated in Australia, and that community-wide obesity prevention initiatives are not warranted; we argue that this is not an accurate reflection of the situation. Available data indicate that obesity affects 6%-8% of Australian schoolchildren, and that the proportion has continued to increase in recent years. Childhood and adolescent obesity is associated with a wide range of immediate health concerns, as well as increasing the risk of disease in adulthood. Some weight-related health problems are also found in overweight children. A range of strategies, including whole-of-community obesity prevention programs, will be required to tackle this problem. Concerns about disordered eating in children and adolescents should not preclude appropriate action on childhood obesity.