It’s not just about how fat children are: it’s what’s in their diet
In response to articles on childhood obesity published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said that there was no argument about the rate of
childhood obesity being too high, but this was not the only contribution to long term ill health.
The 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, which was the largest, most comprehensive study of its kind, showed there has been a plateauing of overweight and obesity levels since 1995 with 17% of children being overweight and 6% obese.
AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said to focus solely on levels of overweight and obesity would be to miss the true picture of the risks in young Australians’ diets.
“The study also showed there are some very real issues in children’s diets regardless of their weight”, Carnell said. The survey found that although the level of fat consumed by the survey population was about right, the levels of saturated fat and salt– both of which are significant risk factors in cardiovascular disease – were too high.
Carnell said that this showed that the issue is not only about overweight and obesity; it is also about the importance of the diet.
“As a nation we have some real diet composition problems. It’s time now for government, industry and the community to focus on finding a solution.
“AFGC launched the Responsible Children’s Marketing Initiative late last year which requires companies to agree to not advertise to children under 12 unless their products represent healthy
dietary choices.
“This means that children won’t be bombarded with advertising for snacks, chips, softdrinks and chocolates on children’s television and other media, including posters in school canteens and
company internet sites,” Carnell said.
Carnell said that industry is looking forward to continuing to work with government and organisations such as the National Heart Foundation to help improve the diets of all Australians.
