Page 698 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 28 March 2006
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good health in children and young people. The Canberra social plan emphasises the importance of focusing on prevention and early intervention across the lifespan of people in order to improve the likelihood of positive health and social outcomes for everyone. The plan addresses the more hidden environmental factors associated with obesity. In particular, it has a focus on strengthening community ties and family structures and improving and supporting the emotional and social development of children, as well as providing improved support programs when things go wrong.
The government is also putting in place initiatives to combat childhood obesity, including advice and support for children to improve nutrition, to increase opportunities for children to participate in physical activity, and programs to improve eating and physical activity patterns for obese children.
In September 2004, ACT Health released the public health nutrition plan 2000-2010. This plan provides a framework and sets strategic direction and priorities for public health nutrition in the ACT. One key priority area is the prevention of overweight and obesity in children and the prevention of further weight gain in adults. ACT Health will also develop a physical activity framework that identifies directions and priorities in relation to physical activity in the ACT.
In the ACT budget 2004-05, ACT Health was allocated $2 million over four years to combat childhood obesity. ACT Health immediately established an ACT government obesity leadership group to coordinate across government healthy weight initiatives and to implement initiatives funded in the ACT budget for 2004-05. The three-day childhood obesity and prevention course held in the ACT earlier this month was coordinated by ACT Health and presented by Professor Boyd Swinburn and Dr Colin Bell from Deakin University. This clearly demonstrates the commitment of this government to encourage healthy and active children. This government has identified overweight and obesity as a significant public health issue and will continue to commit to implement programs to encourage healthy and active children in the ACT.
Nationally, the importance of helping our children become more healthy and active has also been recognised. Initiatives such as the Walk Safely To School Day are proof of this recognition. This national event, which aims to encourage young people to be more active and walk more, will be held on 7 April and all Canberra school students have been encouraged to take part in the day. Organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, in partnership with the National Heart Foundation, the Cancer Council Australia, Diabetes Australia and Beyond Blue, the day encourages increased physical activity—not just on the day itself but throughout the year.
Participation in regular, moderate-intensity physical activity and a balanced and nutritious diet are proven factors in controlling overweight and obesity and also aid in general good health and wellbeing. Healthy and active children live better and learn better and grow up to be more healthy and active adults. Walk Safely To School Day, and the many other programs and initiatives the ACT government has committed to, will promote healthy living to our young people and, hopefully, lead to a reduction in obesity numbers.
As I have explained, childhood obesity is a consequence of a vast number of factors. A lack of physical activity and proper nutrition are both crucial factors that work against a
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