NSW leads the way in obesity prevention

New South Wales is leading the charge in obesity prevention efforts, a Deakin University report card has found.

The Food Policy Index (FPI) – which assessed government progress toward implementing globally recommended food policies to tackle obesity – discovered the NSW government is improving the healthiness of foods in school canteens and hospitals while other states fall behind.

Deakin’s institute for health transformation partnered with Obesity Policy Coalition to complete the latest report, an update on the first FPI which was released in February 2017.

The report’s lead author, Associate Professor Gary Sacks, said all states and territories needed to “crackdown” and develop new strategies to create a healthy environment for Australian children.

“There are really good policies around the country focused on making school canteens healthier, but not all schools follow the rules, there’s no consistency,” he said.

“It’s the same story for other government-controlled settings like health services and community recreation facilities. The recommendations might be there, but we need better monitoring and support systems to make sure they’re actually getting implemented in a way that works.

“Governments must get better at making sure they’re not just talking the talk but walking the walk. All our schools, hospitals and community sporting grounds should be places where healthy food and drinks are the norm.”

The report found that the Victorian government has improved the nutritional value of foods in sport and recreation facilities, while the Queensland government plans to establish a health promotion agency.

Associate Professor Sacks said although each state government has made positive progress since the initial report, more strategies needed to be included in a national obesity strategy.

“Our report clearly identifies what should be included in a national obesity strategy, and the upcoming federal election brings the opportunity for both major political parties to commit new policies that will address the obesity epidemic head on,” he said.

“It’s important that progress here does not stagnate. Summits and commitments are all well and good, but this year we need to see serious action.”

The report will be presented to states and territories through their respective health ministers in the hope it will aid in the development of the national obesity strategy.