Shaping Futures: Taking Action Against Childhood Obesity in Australia

"Shaping Futures: Taking Action Against Childhood Obesity in Australia"

Introduction

Childhood and adolescent obesity are a serious issue in Australia, affecting one in four young Australians. Approximately 1.2 million children and adolescents in Australia are struggling with obesity, which predisposes them to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders, leading to a lower quality of life (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,2020). This poses a risk to their health and puts a strain on the healthcare system. The prevalence of this condition emphasises the urgent need for effective prevention and intervention strategies to safeguard the health of the next generation (Olds, 2022). Public health professionals are calling for coordinated action to address this problem. This blog post, shows a strategic approach, drawing upon evidence-based policies essential for addressing this complex health crisis (Brownson, 2009).

Public Health Advocacy

Public health advocacy involves strategic efforts to influence public and policy-level changes to improve health outcomes. It encompasses raising awareness, promoting evidence-based interventions, and mobilising communities and policymakers to adopt and implement effective health policies. This holistic approach aims to create supportive environments that facilitate healthy choices and behaviours. Effective advocacy requires, not only identifying and promoting effective interventions but also engaging diverse stakeholders to enact and sustain these policies (Stoneham et al., 2019). Public health advocacy involves using news media to promote public policy despite opposition (Chapman, 2004).

To effectively combat childhood obesity, it is necessary to incorporate various policy approaches that address individual and environmental determinants of health.

1.    Stringent Regulations on Marketing Unhealthy Foods to Children

Research consistently shows that marketing strategies targeting children significantly influence their food preferences and consumption patterns. Implementing strict regulations to curtail advertising of unhealthy foods, especially through channels popular with children such as television and digital media, is essential. Such policies have been endorsed by the World Health Organization and have shown promise in other regions (World Health Organization, 2017b).

2.    Enhanced School-Based Nutritional and Physical Education Programs

Schools are pivotal in shaping health behaviours. Integrating comprehensive nutritional education and robust physical activity programs can markedly improve children’s health outcomes. These programs should be standardised across all schools to ensure that every child has access to the same level of education and opportunity for physical wellness, irrespective of their socio-economic status (Buru et al., 2020).

3.    Lifestyle Intervention

To manage their weight, an individual needs to make changes to their diet, physical activity, and sleep habits (Obesity Evidence Hub, 2023).

Here are the key principles:

Manage risks: Regular health screenings and healthcare can address obesity-related health risks.

Involve family: Including family enhances the effectiveness of lifestyle changes.

Long-term behaviour change: Balance nutrient intake, increase physical activity, limit screen time, and promote good sleep habits.

Maintenance plan: Sustain healthy habits to prevent weight gain.

By following these principles, individuals can achieve sustainable health improvements through continuous support and behavioural strategies (ObesityEvidence Hub, 2023).

Coordinating policies across different sectors and scales from local communities to national governance ensures that children are supported to lead healthy lives no matter where they are (Plan International, 2014).

Target Audience

Hence, to effectively address the public health challenge of childhood and adolescent obesity in Australia, it is essential to engage a broad coalition of stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, health professionals, urban planners, and parents. These groups play critical roles in shaping children's health behaviours and are integral to the successful implementation of any proposed solutions. Public health professionals hope to persuade these groups to support meaningful policy changes by presenting evidence-based solutions. Engaging these stakeholders through workshops, seminars, and public forums can facilitate dialogue and collaboration (Hospitaland Healthcare, 2023).

Conclusion

To sum up, the fight against childhood obesity in Australia is not just about changing individual behaviours but transforming societal structures to support healthier lifestyles (Commonwealth of Australia, 2022). It requires a collective effort and the courage to implement bold policies that can effect substantial changes. By embracing a collaborative approach and implementing these evidence-based policies, Australia can make significant strides towards a healthier future for its younger population.

 

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2020). Australia’s health 2020: In brief. AIHW - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Aihw.gov.au. https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/2aa9f51b-dbd6-4d56-8dd4-06a10ba7cae8/aihw-aus-232.pdf.aspx?inline=true

Brownson, R. C., Chriqui, J. F., & Stamatakis, K. A. (2009). Understanding Evidence-Based Public Health Policy. American Journal of Public Health,99(9), 1576–1583. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724448/

Buru, K., Emeto, T. I., Malau-Aduli, A. E. O., & Malau-Aduli, B. S. (2020). The Efficacy of School-Based Interventions in Preventing Adolescent Obesity in Australia. Healthcare, 8(4), 514. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8040514

Chapman, S. (2004). Advocacy for public health: a primer. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 58(5), 361–365. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2003.018051

Commonwealth of Australia. (2022). National Obesity Strategy. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/03/national-obesity-strategy-2022-2032-at-a-glance-summary-with-a-logic-framework_0.pdf

Hospital and Healthcare. (2023, March 8).  Australian childhood obesity expected to double by 2035. Www.hospitalhealth.com.au. https://www.hospitalhealth.com.au/content/facility-admin/news/australian-childhood-obesity-expected-to-double-by-2035-949660041

Obesity Evidence Hub. (2023). Managing overweight & obesity in children & adolescents | Obesity Evidence Hub. https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/collections/treatment/managing-overweight-and-obesity-in-children-and-adolescents

Olds, T. (2022). Is child obesity really going to shorten lives? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/is-child-obesity-really-going-to-shorten-lives-193718

Plan International. (2014, September 23). The power of advocacy [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dzaM0fCqsg

Stoneham, M., Vidler, A. & Edmunds, M. (2019). Advocacy in action: A toolkit for public health professionals. Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA. https://www.phaiwa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2019_Advocacy-in-Action-A-Toolkit-for-Public-Health-Professionals-1.pdf

World Health Organization. (2017b). Taking action on childhood obesity [Report]. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/274792/WHO-NMH-PND-ECHO-18.1-eng.pdf?ua=1