National Obesity
Taskforce
2005
OVERVIEW
December 2005
NATIONAL OBESITY TASKFORCE
2005 OVERVIEW
The National Obesity Taskforce continues to develop and implement innovative programs
and policies to address the rising rates of overweight and obesity in a nationally coordinated
approach, through State and Territory, and Australian Governments.
In 2005, the Taskforce has undertaken projects relating to the management of overweight and
obesity in adults and older Australians, whilst working to maintain momentum on children
and youth.
The Australian print and electronic media continued to feature overweight and obesity
articles during 2005, with both Australian and overseas issues and initiatives under the
spotlight. Despite this increased public awareness and a more comprehensive national
approach, levels of childhood overweight and obesity continue to increase.
This document is designed to compliment the National Obesity Taskforce 2004 Overview
and summary information on some of the key, top line activities undertaken by the Taskforce
and its members during 2005.
Many of the activities reported in this document are ongoing and some new activities being
undertaken by Taskforce members are not covered in this document. Further information can
be sought from individual States and Territories (refer to the contact list at the end of this
document).
The Work of the Australian Government
BUILDING A HEALTHY ACTIVE AUSTRALIA
This initiative was announced by the Prime Minister in June 2004. The package provides
$116 million over four years for the following:
Healthy Eating and Regular Physical Activity – Information for Australian Families
On 28 April 2005, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the
Hon Christopher Pyne MP, launched the national $5 million Go for 2 Fruit & 5 Veg
Campaign which ran through to the end of June. The Go for 2&5 campaign was designed
to reach both parents and children. It included advertising on television, magazines, radio
for non-English speaking audiences, press for Indigenous Australians, the internet and in
grocery shopping environments.
A media program to encourage children and young people to increase their physical
activity is currently under development and expected to be launched in early February
2006.
Active After Schools Communities Program
This program has continued to provide funding for the establishment of an after school
physical activity program in schools and approved outside school hours care services and
is managed by the Australian Sports Commission.
The program has over 1400 primary schools and out of school hour care services
(OSHCS) currently participating with approximately 70,000 children involved. The
number of children is expected to increase to 150,000 by the end of 2007.
To date over 5000 community personnel, including local sporting members, volunteers,
parents, students, teachers and OSHCS staff, have undertaken the free Community
Coaching Training Program to become qualified deliverers of the program. The program
expects to have over 60,000 qualified deliverers by Term 3 of 2007.
Healthy School Communities Grants Program
A grant of up to $1,500 (GST exclusive) is available to a non-government organisation
linked to each primary and secondary school in Australia (such as Parents and
Citizens/Friends Associations, school auxiliaries or canteen groups) to initiate activities to
help parents and students improve their eating habits.
There have been 3947 schools receive a Healthy School Communities grant as at 31
December 2005.
Further State and Territory specific information is provided under the „Schools‟ setting in
this document.
The website (www.healthyactive.gov.au) has been redesigned to provide information to
schools, organisations and interested community members.
Active School Curriculum
On 1 January 2005, new conditions of funding were introduced to increase the amount of
physical activity undertaken during school hours. Schools must include at least two hours
of physical activity per week in their curriculum for children in primary and junior high
schools.
This legislation was passed by Parliament late in 2004.
Working Across Governments
AUSTRALIAN HEALTH MINISTERS
The Building a Healthy Active Australia has been further supported in 2005 through a series
of Healthy Weight 2008 projects announced by Health Ministers in July 2004. The package
includes:
New Physical Activity recommendations for Children and Youth and associated
consumer resources
The Australian Government sent each school a package which included posters and
brochures for adults, parents, carers, younger children and adolescents in the first school
term of 2005. These resources were developed to assist parents, carers and teachers to
understand the importance of, and opportunities for, improving the physical activity
levels of children and young people.
A resource kit for schools to promote healthy eating and physical activity
These resources were also sent to all schools in Australia (approximately 8000) during
Term 1, 2005. The resource kit promotes examples of quality practice in Australian
schools. It includes principles, strategies and ideas for schools interested in designing and
implementing good practice healthy eating and physical activity programs.
The establishment of a network of Whole-of-Community Healthy Weight
Demonstration Sites
The Taskforce is looking at identifying practical ways to share the knowledge and
expertise gained from those sites currently underway, with those in the planning and
implementation phase.
The most advanced site is the Barwon West Site in Victoria, centred around Colac and
Geelong. Deakin University is managing the strategies and projects for this whole of
community project.
In July 2005, Deakin University convened a round table discussion and site visit to Colac
to showcase the projects currently underway with the sentinel site for obesity prevention.
Participants included government representatives from Queensland, New South Wales,
South Australia and the Australian Government. The site visit particularly, provided an
important opportunity to share learnings and experiences in setting up a whole of
community project.
The New South Wales Government has recently allocated $7.5 million for a whole of
community project in the Hunter-New England region. The project will be implemented
by the Hunter New England Area Health Service over the next five years and focus on
intervention strategies, education, exercise and nutrition.
The evidence that will come from these projects will help guide similar community based
programs and stimulate a more vigorous response to the obesity issue.
A review of the evidence for actions to reduce obesity in adults and older
Australians
This project will assist the National Obesity Taskforce to provide advice to Australian
Health Ministers about strategies for reducing obesity levels in this target group. The
successful tenderer has commenced work and the project is on track for completion late
2005.
The Work of the National Obesity Taskforce
National Canteen Strategy
In July 2004, the Australian Health Ministers Council (AHMC) announced their support for
school canteens in promoting healthy eating among children.
The report of the National Obesity Taskforce; Healthy Weight 2008 – The National Action
Agenda for Children and Young People and their Families identifies primary and secondary
schools as a key setting for strategies to prevent childhood overweight and obesity.
One of the key actions identified by the Taskforce for implementation in the school setting is
promoting widely the implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents
and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. In progressing this action, the Taskforce agreed
to the development of a National Healthy Schools Canteen Framework that encompasses the
intention of Health Ministers while still allowing for State differences.
It is anticipated that a National Healthy School Canteen Framework could:
provide clear, consistent principles to help to ensure that healthy school canteens operate
in all states and territories across Australia; and
provide a baseline for states/territories to streamline processes and share resources.
New South Wales is the lead jurisdiction with responsibility for progressing this task on
behalf of the Taskforce. The final format for the National Healthy School Canteen
Framework is being determined through consultation and deliberations with key stakeholders.
The Work of the National Obesity Taskforce
Adults and Older Australians Project
In July 2004, Australian Health Ministers announced a review of the evidence for actions to
reduce overweight and obesity in adults and older Australians. This work will assist the
Taskforce to provide advice to Ministers about strategies for reducing obesity in adults and
older people.
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing is funding and managing the
project on behalf of the Taskforce.
The consortium undertaking the project is a collaboration focused around the group of three
Prevention Research Centres located at the University of Sydney:
The NSW Centre for Overweight and Obesity (COO)
The NSW Centre for Public Health Nutrition (CPHN)
The NSW Centre for Physical Activity and Health (CPAH)
The project identified effective interventions for the prevention/reduction of overweight and
obesity in adults and older Australians. It will also address particular issues for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people living in rural and remote locations.
The process for undertaking this work included:
a literature review of Australian and overseas research relevant to overweight and
obesity, physical activity and chronic diseases;
national consultations in Sydney and Adelaide with major stakeholders such as
governments, non-government organisations, professionals and researchers; and
two site visits to Katherine and Mt Isa to gain a more „on-the-ground‟ view from
health workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and rural health
experts.
The outcomes of this process are being formulated into strategies and actions that have the
most potential to prevent further weight gain in the Australian adult population and structured
approaches for particular population groups.
The literature review is available on the Healthy Active website at:
www.healthyactive.gov.au
Website
The Healthy Active website, www.healthyactive.gov.au continues to provide families,
individuals and organisations with up to date information about the Australian Government‟s
nutrition, physical activity and healthy weight and lifestyle policies and programs.
During 2005, the Healthy Active website underwent a substantial update and redevelopment
to streamline the application process for schools and organisations applying for the Healthy
School Communities grants.
STATE AND TERRITORY ACTION PLANS
Most State and Territory governments have broad plans or strategy documents encompassing
nutrition and/or physical activity. These include:
Victoria - Go for your life, launched in November 2004. Further details on this initiative
can be found at www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au.
New South Wales - Prevention of Obesity in Children and Young People – NSW
Government Action Plan 2003-2007.
Queensland – Eat Well, Be Active- healthy kids for life, the Queensland government‟s first
action plan 2005-2008, Get Active Queensland: Children and Young People and Eat Well
Queensland: Smart Eating for a Healthier State. Further information can be found at
www.health.qld.gov.au.
South Australia – State-wide Healthy Weight Taskforce and the Be Active Strategy physical
activity strategy launched in September 2004. Further information can be found at
www.beactive.com.au.
The Australian Capital Territory - Eat Well ACT- A Public Health Nutrition Plan 2004-
2010. The ACT Health Improvement Plan is currently being developed.
Tasmania - Food and Nutrition Policy was redeveloped to include 12 priority areas.
Western Australia - Go for 2 Fruit and 5 Vegetables, Find 30, Food North: Food for
Health in Northern Australia and Eat Well Be Active Western Australia – A Strategic
Framework for Public Health Nutrition and Physical Activity 2004 – 2010.
The Northern Territory – Food and Nutrition Policy action plan for 2001 – 2006.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Child Care Setting
This setting is important in the promotion of healthy eating and active play to younger
Australians, as this stage is very influential on future lifestyle habits. The following
jurisdictional examples illustrate the variety of programs and initiatives undertaken or
developed in 2005, to improve the knowledge and skills of both staff and parents.
Queensland:
Ongoing implementation of Get Active Queensland through Sport and Recreation
Queensland; and ongoing state-wide training and dissemination of nutrition, physical
activity and food safety resources for Outside School Hours Care Services, including
PANOSH, Better Food in Child Care and What is Better Food?
New South Wales:
The NSW Action Plan includes a number of specific priorities relating to the provision of
nutrition and physical activity advice to children's services. NSW Health is working with
NSW Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation to adapt their range of early
childhood resources and workshop materials with a view to piloting these in NSW.
Australian Capital Territory:
Thirteen Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) will commence the Active After Schools
Program in Term 2, 2005 (3 new OSHCS will be introduced each term until 2007).
ACT Health Community Nutritionists will continue to add to the New Parents Nutrition
Kit, Tuckatalk, during 2005 providing best practice and evidence based information on
topical nutrition issues for young children.
South Australia:
SA Child Care Nutrition Partnership developed a new action plan with areas including
workforce development and training, working with families, children with special needs
and evaluation/research. www.wch.sa.gov.au/childcarenutrition
Start Right Eat Right Nutrition Award Scheme (funded by Dept. of Health for 3 yrs 2003-
6) accredited 29 centres to date (33% of centres).
Healthy Food Choice in Family Day Care is in place.
Games Out of School Hours (GOSH) are models for physical activity. GOSH has
conducted workforce development sessions and now reaches 54% of services in the State.
Part 2 is under development which is based on physical activity guidelines, more games
and includes an indigenous and multicultural focus.
A pilot workshop was run for OHSC staff and training for DECS staff in the southern
metropolitan region. A fact sheet is under development. The final report is due June
2005.
Western Australia:
Start Right Eat Right (SRER) modified for application in Family Day Care and piloted in
one Area Health Service. SRER was first developed in WA and the Department of Health
WA continues to support other states to initiate and maintain the program.
Tasmania:
Start Right Eat Right (SRER) – (funding through the Telstra Foundation for two years)
continues to be implemented across the state.
Victoria:
Kids – Go For Your Life initiative aims to lead policy change in children‟s settings such a
childcare, kindergartens and primary schools. One of the main deliverables in this
initiative will be policy change to develop supportive environments for healthy eating and
physical activity for children. Kids Go For Your Life incorporates a number of sub-
programs including:
- the Start Right Eat Right project, an awards scheme that recognises
Victorian childcare centres for best practice in food service in long day
care (LDC) centres, will be extended to an additional 145 centres as a
minimum over the total funding period until June 2007; and
- Filling the Gaps, a state program to provide resources, practice strategies
and training to support 7,200 child health professionals, including maternal
and child health nurses, child care services including family day care and
long day care, pre-school, school nurses and dieticians.
Romp & Chomp focuses on children five and under and brings together Early Childhood
Services in Geelong. The project aims to increase the capacity of relevant Geelong
organisations to promote healthy eating and physical activity while increasing the
awareness of the project‟s key messages in homes and early childhood settings.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Schools – Primary and Secondary
Primary and Secondary schools provide a range of opportunities for collaborative work
across sectors, such as education and health. Children of school age are receptive to learning
about healthy eating and the benefits of physical activity. The following examples illustrate
the variety of activities undertaken in 2005 in this setting to further develop „good practice‟
and partnerships.
Australian Government:
Continues to implement the Building a Healthy Active Australia Initiative:
o Healthy School Communities Grants Program – 5,655 schools, approximately 59%,
have applied for the grant as at 31 December 2005. The majority of applications
continue to be from primary schools. A break down of the applications per State
and Territory are listed below:
NSW 1,556
NT 175
QLD 966
SA 569
TAS 169
VIC 1,569
WA 573
ACT 78
o Active After-school Communities commenced in Term 2 2005 with over 900 schools
and out of school hour care services (OSHCS) now involved. These numbers will be
increased by 250 schools/OSHCS each term to reach the final target of 3,250 in
2007.
Resource Kits for Schools – ideas for schools interested in designing and implementing
good practice healthy eating and physical activity programs. The Minister for Health and
Ageing sent the kit to all schools, at the end of February 2005, with a reminder letter
regarding the Healthy School Community Grants.
Physical Activity Recommendations for Children and Youth – Consumer resources have
been developed and disseminated.
The Pedestrian Council has been funded for 3 years to promote Walk Safety to School
Day nationally. The next national “Walk Safely to School Day will be held in April
2006.
New South Wales:
Fresh Tastes @ School NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy. Further promotion
strategies in progress include: DVD featuring case studies of successful canteens; 4th
issue of the Fresh Tastes Newsletter; Metropolitan, State and Rural Workshops; an
evaluation workshop framework has been developed; and TAFE NSW training course
developed.
NSW Dept of Education and Training will work with schools and key stakeholders to
develop plans for the revitalisation of secondary school sports programs designed to
develop social, movement and game skills. The Department has met with all stakeholders.
Queensland:
The Smart Choices, healthy food and drink supply strategy for Queensland schools was
launched in July 2005. Smart Choices reaches further than the school tuckshop, to also
include vending machines, school excursions, school camps, fundraising, classroom
rewards, school events, sports days and curriculum activities. The strategy has been
developed under the healthy weight component of the joint work plan between Education
Queensland and Queensland Health. Smart Choices will be mandatory in all government
schools from 1 July 2006.
Released Guidelines for healthy school food and drink supply, teacher professional
development and a health and well-being framework to support the implementation of the
JPE syllabus.
A Joint Work Plan has been developed between Queensland Health, Education
Queensland and Sport and Recreation Queensland to increase participation in physical
activity at school.
Fresh Ideas for Fundraising - kit is being finalised for dissemination to all schools in
Queensland.
Queensland Health and Education Queensland are funding Queensland Association of
School tuckshops, Queensland Council of Parents Citizens Associations and Nutrition
Australia to support implementation of Smart Choices in Queensland schools.
Northern Territory:
Review of Canteen Guidelines for NT urban and remote primary schools and
dissemination of revised guidelines (collaboration between Department of Health and
Community Services and Education Department) and the training and support for
Canteen Managers from remote and urban schools.
Implemented the „Hunting for Health Challenge‟ in 46 NT primary schools.
Development of strategies to promote fruit and vegetables in classrooms is underway.
Has provided support to the Active After Schools program.
South Australia:
Eat Well SA Schools and Preschools Healthy Eating Guidelines continue to be promoted.
The first workshop in a series of three have been delivered to the 68 schools involved in
the CREATE program.
Be active – Let‟s go! (Department of Education and Children‟s Services)
o strategy 1 - Increasing physical activity in schools and preschools;
o strategy 2 - Leading Edge Leaders; and
o strategy 3 - Data Collection, Monitoring and Accountability.
Two regional workshops are planned for the Be Active Take Steps pedometer project for
primary school children.
Tasmania:
The Food and Nutrition Policy was launched in April 2005.
Move Well, Eat Well, Tasmanian Schools, a joint project between Dept Health and
Human Services and Dept Education is developing menu options to assist schools.
„Active Kids‟ is a joint 3 year project between the Premiers Physical Activity Council,
Dept Health and Sport and Recreation Tasmania to address the barriers faced by school
aged children in participating in physical activity programs. Three sites have now been
identified.
The Tasmanian School Canteen Association (TSCA) is implementing a canteen
accreditation program – „Cool CAP‟. 25 schools have been accredited, 45% of schools
have completed part of the program.
Walk to School guidelines and a volunteer training package have been developed.
Essential Learnings Framework will be reported on by all Tasmanian schools in 2005.
The Maintaining Wellbeing Key Element is one of only four Elements that have a
mandated requirement for assessment and reporting. There will be ongoing teacher
professional learning based on the Maintaining Wellbeing Key Element. Extensive work
has been undertaken in developing standards against which student performance in this
area will be measured.
Completed a needs analysis to identify current issues surrounding school breakfast
programs.
An evaluation of the pilot fruit and water policy pilot sites is underway.
Conduct a trial of fruitful fundraising kits for schools.
Australian Capital Territory:
Tuckatalk in Schools partnership between ACT Health and the Dept of Education and
Training project has begun in 2005, and it will develop Healthy Eating Guidelines for use
in school communities. The project will run for the next 3 years.
Kits at Play initiative – Sport and Recreation ACT – two vans equipped with play
equipment can be booked for school and child care centres; schools, fetes and other
community events; and community organisations.
Accreditation of school canteens – joint project of Dept of Education and Training and
Heart Foundation Training. Training of school personnel, Principals, teachers and
canteen managers is underway.
ACT Health Promoting Schools School Canteen Coalition provides education training
and support to canteen staff to increase awareness about the nutritional role of canteens.
Healthpact Vitality Funding round – Grants for 17 projects to improve awareness of
nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing in ACT schools will be announced in July 2005.
Feat 4 Feet – Dept of Education and Training Pedometer based curriculum adapted from a
SA project, is being piloted in a number of schools this year.
Professional Development (PD Days) for Teachers – collaborative presentations by Dept
of Education and Training and Health Officers have been run in schools in Nutrition,
physical activity and Health Promoting Schools.
Western Australia:
Launched the „Crunch and Sip‟ program state-wide to encourage primary school children
to drink water and eat fruit as a snack. Teachers are able to access the website
www.crunchandsip.com.au to register and to obtain teaching resources. 30 % of WA
primary schools are expected to be implementing the program after one year.
Intergovernmental collaboration through the Premier‟s Physical Activity Taskforce to:
o strengthen teacher training and resources and enhance Fundamental Movement
Skills training in K-3 and healthy lifestyle education in primary school children;
o enhance promotion of active transport to school through Walk to School and Cycle
to School Challenges and curriculum-based training of students in Travelsmart; and
o expand the Sportsfun program and Junior Sport Development days.
Victoria:
As part of the Go for your life campaign, three demonstration sites at Colac, Moreland
and East Geelong have been funded.
o Colac Be Active Eat Well aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity is
4-12 year olds. This three-year project uses a multi-strategy (policies,
environmental change, parent education, community programs, social marketing,
and curriculum) and multi-setting approach (homes, kindergartens, schools, sport
and recreation facilities, fast food outlets, primary care and neighbourhoods);
o Fun „n healthy in Moreland is an exciting and unique project aiming to develop
and implement a school-community based intervention promoting healthy eating
choices, increased physical activity levels and improved social health and well-
being for children and families in the City of Moreland; and
o „It‟s Your Move!‟ Project in East Geelong will promote healthy eating and
physical activity in 5 secondary schools and their communities.
Kids – Go For Your Life, is a state-wide initiative targeting schools to promote positive
behavioural changes in children to improve healthy eating, increase rates of physical
activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. This program also aims to develop the
knowledge and skills of families and health and child professionals regarding healthy
eating, healthy weight and physical activity. Kids Go For Your Life incorporates:
o Fruit ‟n‟ Veg Program in primary schools, this program promotes fruit and
vegetable consumption in primary schools utilising a health promotion schools
model to encourage and support comprehensive activity throughout the whole
school. The Fruit „n‟ Veg Program will be positioned within the “Kids – Go For
Your Life” service, and will be extended to include support for primary schools
statewide.
TravelSmart schools, currently targeting children in grades 5 and 6 will be extended into
years 7 and 8 at secondary school. The Department of Infrastructure, in partnership with
Department of Education & Training, has initiated the development and pilot project.
More than 2000 Victorian primary school children now walk to and from school as part
of Walking School Bus Program, which began in 2001 with just 224 students. Buses now
operate in 192 schools and involve 70% of Victorian Local Government.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Primary Care
The primary care sector provides a unique opportunity to manage overweight and obesity in
Australia through an improvement in the knowledge and skills of health professionals to
promote healthy weight in their patients. The following examples illustrate the work
undertaken in 2005 in the primary care setting.
Australian Government:
Lifestyle Prescriptions, a resource Guide for GPs, was launched and disseminated through
the Division of General Practitioners‟ network.
Exercise Physiologists were included under the Medicare allied health measure to provide
services to people with chronic and complex illnesses. This change is effective as of 1
January 2006.
New South Wales:
The Overweight and Obesity Services Advisory Group meet regularly to provide
recommendations on overweight and obesity services to NSW Health. The group will
develop a best practice for child and adolescent overweight and obesity services in NSW
and will report on its progress in late 2005.
Queensland:
Evaluation reports for Creating a Healthier Queensland, Lighten Up to a healthier
lifestyle and the (Indigenous) Healthy Weight Program are being finalised.
Evaluation of Kids on Track will be completed in 2006.
Australian Capital Territory:
ACT Healthy Vitality Campaign: Eat Well, Be Active, Feel Good about Yourself.
ACT Health, Family Weight Management Program will commence mid 2005 and target
parents of school aged children who are overweight.
Tasmania:
The DHHS policy framework Strengthening the Prevention and Management of Chronic
Conditions was launched on 18th April 2005.
An apple a day nutrition education manual for GPs has been updated.
Homegrown pilot project applied for ARC funding to evaluation the effectiveness of the
model with the University Department of General Practice.
Emphasis on skilling/training for local workers in rural and isolated regions to conduct
the “Controlling the Crumble and Sleeping Beauty” run through Adult Education in 2006.
South Australia:
Be Active Community Grants are used to stimulate advocacy and develop networks in SA
for physical activity.
Work is underway with the new Regional Health Services in South Australia to address
obesity prevention.
Northern Territory:
Further training and support for Indigenous Health Workers to implement the Healthy
Weight Program in their communities.
Development of a physical activity service delivery model for DHCS.
Upskilling of PHC staff in nutrition and physical activity interventions.
Brief intervention training for primary health care staff working in remote communities to
promote and support a healthy lifestyle.
Dissemination of physical activity guidelines for children and adults within the health
sector, and dissemination of dietary guidelines for adults and dietary guideline for
children and adolescents.
Adaptation of dietary guideline messages for remote communities.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Family and Community Care Services
The introduction of „good practice‟ and increased availability of resources for family and
community care workers can provide further opportunities to overweight children. The
following examples illustrate some of the activities undertaken in 2005 in this.
Queensland:
“The Fun Not Fuss with Food” program for parents of two to ten year olds with problem
eating and mealtime behaviours resources are available statewide.
Australian Capital Territory:
Foodwize nutrition manual for youth workers includes youth-friendly nutrition fact
sheets, one-on-one and group activities.
Northern Territory:
Dietary counselling service for parents of overweight children is available through
Community Care Centres.
Tasmania:
Provision of training to oral health therapists and child health nurses to provide consistent
advice to parents regarding nutrition across the state according to recommendations from
the needs assessment.
Support for Family Food Patch educators to promote healthy eating in their communities.
Nutrition training of workers in disability services as part of short course awareness and
of community house staff.
Implementation of Foods, Fads and Feeling program.
Women's Health Information Line links health professionals and general public enquiries
to resources about nutrition, healthy eating, obesity, physical activity.
Eating Disorders Information Line is a partnership between the Nutrition Unit and
Women's Health.
Victoria:
Kids – Go For Your Life aims to support parents and care-givers to promote healthy eating
and physical activity in children 0-12 years by providing information, resources and support.
Filling the Gaps has been expanded to a more comprehensive child nutrition and physical
activity initiative that has a strong focus on parents and the community. New resources
will be developed to support parents to encourage healthy eating and physical activity
from an early age in their children.
Western Australia:
The Food Cents program is now implemented by Red Cross home trainers to increase skills
of high risk families in selecting healthy food on a low income. The Food Bank also
implements Food Cents training in remote Aboriginal communities and provides support for
breakfast programs in disadvantaged schools and communities.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Maternal and Infant Health
The promotion of breast feeding and increasing its acceptability in the public is important for
the long-term health benefits of Australian children. The following examples illustrate the
variety of activities undertaken in 2005 in this.
Australian Government:
Provided $100,000 to the Australian Breastfeeding Association for July 04-June 05. The
main activities under this funding arrangement include:
o development and dissemination of resources for breastfeeding counsellors; and
o extending the Lactation Resource Centre to develop an on-line database relating to
case histories in order to assist counsellors in managing breastfeeding issues.
Queensland:
The Personal Health Record has now been revised and includes the CDC 2000 growth
charts and more nutrition and PA prompts for health workers when screening.
The resource Guide to Your Child’s First 12 months has been updated with evidence-
based breastfeeding and nutrition information, and is distributed to every new parent in
Qld.
Two projects have been funded under Health Promotion Queensland to promote enhanced
ante-natal nutrition and physical activity.
Completed 2 Reports from the 2003 Queensland Health Infant and Child Health Nutrition
CATI survey.
Australian Capital Territory:
From Milk to More and More Kit for use by Maternal and Child Health Nurses and
Dieticians with new parents groups and ACT Health Community Nutrition pamphlet
distributed to all new parents.
Healthy Kids Healthpact (Health Promotion Fund) Community Funding Round 2004/05 –
program based in Tuggeranong which aims to increase numbers of parents and children
0-4 who make healthy choices in relation to nutrition, physical activity and safe
behaviours.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Project– is a young mothers group that
focuses on family fun at meal times.
New South Wales:
NSW Health Breastfeeding Project is an ongoing 3 year project working to develop
breastfeeding policies and services in NSW. A breastfeeding project plan has been
developed in consultation with key stakeholders.
South Australia:
Breastfeeding Action Plan 2004-2006 is currently being implemented.
Infant Feeding Guidelines for Health Workers have been printed and distributed widely to
the health workforce.
Breastfeeding resources for Indigenous women were developed and disseminated.
15 hospitals have attended the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative seminars.
An E-learning training program, Baby Friendly Breastfeeding Education Program, has
been developed to meet the workforce educational requirements for staff in health care
facilities seeking to achieve BFHI accreditation.
Three Growing Strong workshops (courtesy of Queensland) have been held for the
Indigenous workforce to develop capacity to promote breastfeeding.
Funding has provided to the Australian Breastfeeding Association to assist with their
workplace accreditation program and for office support.
A Department of Health Breastfeeding Statement and a Breastfeeding Friendly
Workplace Policy are currently being drafted.
Northern Territory:
Primary health care staff have undertaken education on new infant feeding guidelines.
Resources to promote breastfeeding and introduction of solids amongst specific target
groups, identified from the review of the NT Breastfeeding Policy, are under
development.
All hospitals in the NT are working towards baby friendly accreditation.
Ongoing support for the „Strong Women Strong Baby Strong Culture‟ program, to
improve birth outcomes and promote optimal nutrition for infants in remote Indigenous
communities.
Ongoing support for the implementation of the Growth Assessment and Action program
in all remote communities which aims for initiation of early action to address over or
under nutrition.
Ongoing support for the Healthy School Aged Kids program which includes health
promotion in the school and monitors the health and growth of children aged 5-15 years
in remote communities.
Victoria:
An evidence-based review of “Give Breastfeeding a Boost” has been completed and
available on http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nutrition/downloads/breastfeeding_boost.pdf.
This review identifies barriers to breastfeeding and interventions that have been
successful utilising program, service provider or settings based approaches in the
commencement and retention of breastfeeding.
Changes to all DHS growth charts (used in the child health record, the school nursing
program and the maternal and child health services) have been completed and presented
to maternal and child health centres to use in the CDC charts.
The Romp & Chomp project has commenced. This represents a collaborative, local
response to the issue of childhood obesity in children 5 years and under. The aim is to
increase the capacity of the Geelong community (families and early childhood settings) in
promoting healthy eating and active play.
Tasmania:
The Tasmanian Food and Nutrition Policy has been launched and promoted.
Funding is being sought to continue and expand the Mums The Word (MTW) services to
other communities.
Planning is underway for the promotion of breastfeeding through a breastfeeding
coalition.
Western Australia:
The WA Breast Feeding Policy and infant feeding publications have been revised and
disseminated.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Neighbourhoods and Community Organisations
Neighbourhoods and local communities are very important in supporting and promoting
physical activity, as illustrated in the following examples of activities undertaken in 2005 to
improve planning and design.
New South Wales:
NSW is increasing the opportunities for active transport through an allocation of
$30 million by the Roads and Traffic Authority for maintaining and development off-road
cycle ways across NSW throughout 2005.
The Public Health Officer position at the Local Government and Shires Association will
be ongoing throughout 2005.
Queensland:
Funding has been provided through Health Promotion Queensland to 4 community-based
intervention projects.
Queensland Health provides funding to the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops
and Nutrition Australia to support implementation of Smart Choices in Queensland
Schools.
Australian Capital Territory:
Canberra Community Walks Project will launch a number of new walks 2005 (11 walks
currently).
YWCA Walking School Bus aims to increase the number of participating schools in 2005
(16 walking routes, 37 per week).
South Australia:
Completed the first stage of the Community Gardening in SA project and the second
stage is being planned. A resource kit was launched in May 2005. www.canh.asn.au/
Northern Territory:
Provided grants to remote communities and community organisations for nutrition and
physical activity promotion projects.
The Pools in Remote Areas project (PIRA) has lead to the building of swimming pools in
4 remote communities in the NT. This is a joint Australian and NT Governments project.
Tasmania:
Active Towns - The awards program will continue in 2005 after a successful inaugural
program in 2004 which resulted in 76 nominations from local government, community
groups and schools. This year an agreement has been reached with Medibank Private to
provide sponsorship for the program which will ensure greater promotion and ongoing
sustainability. Nominations will open in June and close at the end of July, with a
presentation ceremony to be held in September in conjunction with the Kellogg‟s Heart
Foundation Local Government awards.
Healthy Living Community Demonstration Project - builds on the existing networks and
linkages with local health and community workers; local government and the non-
government sector to access local skills and expertise. Four Neighbourhood House
projects have been allocated funds totalling around $100,000.
The Central Coast Lifestyle Challenge - has expanded to work with the Devonport and
Burnie Community Houses, as part of the Healthy Living Community Demonstration
project, to develop strategies to increase the range and access to community based
programs to support people in the „challenges‟ they have signed up for.
Development of a Local Government „menu of options‟ to assist local government to
take a proactive role in increasing opportunities for physical activity and healthy food
choices in their local communities.
Premier‟s Physical Activity Council The Department of Economic Development provides
executive support to the Premier‟s Physical Activity Council, which has direct
responsibility for the Government‟s thrust relating to physical activity.
Funding provided for: Youth Traineeship Project; Active Kids; Women‟s Get Active
Project‟ West Coast Jump Rope for Heart Project.
„Living Longer, Living Stronger‟ provides funding & support to the Council of the
Ageing for strength training for over 50s.
Local Government sport and recreation planning provides consultancy services and
support to encourage local government to adopt a planned approach to the provision of
facilities, services and programs.
Youth Participation Pilot Project aims to increase children‟s participation in community
sport and in school based activity in a partnership between the Department of Education,
Skilled Engineering Group Employment Services, Fitness Tasmania, the Premier‟s
Physical Activity Council, Glenorchy City Council, Sport and Recreation Tasmania and
community organisations.
Western Australia:
Intergovernmental collaboration through the Premier‟s Physical Activity Taskforce to:
develop and launch the WA Walking Strategy;
promote and implement Local Activity Grants Program through local governments; and
promote and implement Physical Activity Awareness Day 2005.
Victoria:
“Be Active Eat Well”, fun „n‟ healthy in Moreland and It‟s Your Move! in East Geelong
are whole of community demonstration projects currently underway in - targeting
children with a focus is on healthy eating and physical activity.
Ambassadors Group for Go for Your Life - As part of the collaborative approach of the
Ambassadors Group has been established, comprising respected individuals from across a
range of sectors and disciplines. The core role of the Ambassadors will be to influence
and engage the support of communities and industry/sector networks external to
Government to join forces in raising awareness of the benefits of, and opportunities for,
building a healthy and more active Victoria.
Local Government Partnerships - Public Health DHS is working in partnership with local
governments to support broad public health planning. With assistance from the Good
Practice Program some local governments are working on strategies related to physical
activity/nutrition/healthy weight (fruit and vegetable consumption is a component of this).
The plan for 2005 is to continue to consolidate this and to integrate it with the Municipal
Public Health Plan and the Municipal Early Years Plan.
Food For All funding has been allocated by VicHealth to seven local governments to
address issues of food security within these municipalities. A Food Security short course
is also being offered as part of this funding. The course has been designed for workers, in
local government or other sectors, which have an interest in improving food access in
their communities. This course aims to introduce participants to a network of other people
working on or interested in food security policy and practice provide participants with
information about:
o the complex factors influencing food security; and
o ideas for integrating food security into the on-going core business of councils.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Workplaces
The current Australian workforce has steadily increased over the last few generations, which
adds further pressure on time for physical activity and planning healthy meals for the family.
In 2005, further activities were undertaken encourage workplaces to support programs which
promote healthy weight, encourage healthy eating and doing some physical activity.
Australian Government:
Provided 3 years funding for Walk to Work Day to the Pedestrian Council to promote the
day nationally. The last national day was held on 7 October 2005.
Queensland:
Healthier Staff Initiatives 10,000 steps challenge attracted 17,000 staff and 2,000 teams.
Australian Capital Territory:
TravelSmart Workplaces, through the ACT Planning and Land Authority, targets
workplaces to develop travel plans to reduce single occupant car travel to work and
encourage higher levels of physical activity.
South Australia:
10 Grand Steps, a pedometer project for staff in the Health Department, has been offered
to regional health service staff and other government departments.
Regional Active Community Field Officer Program is a partnership between Sport and
Recreation and Local Government, to increase participation in sport and active recreation
programs and to improve the quality of sport and active recreation opportunities. 6
regional field officers are in place and community recreation and sport networks have
been established and developed local plans.
Northern Territory:
DHCS ran a 4 week worksite pedometer challenge for its staff across the NT.
Western Australia:
The Department of Health has initiated a TravelSmart to work program to encourage staff
to use active transport to work.
Tasmania:
Eat Well Tasmania and the Community Nutrition Unit have commenced work around
planning for Healthy Events.
DHHS Physical Activity policy is nearing completion including a section on workplace
physical activity. Examples of activities are:
o seminars on health and well-being;
o health surveys and individual health audits;
o access to remedial services such as massage;
o corporate partnerships including gym memberships; and
o on-line health and well-being centre.
Departments which have Health and Well-being Workplace programs in place include:
o the Department of Economic Development, who are developing a workplace
health and well-being program that measures and targets main health risks and
delivers ongoing programs to manage overall employee health and well-being;
o the Department of Police and Public Safety provide a comprehensive program
for their staff to encourage physical activity (pedometer research study in
liaison with the Menzies Centre) and are more recently exploring ways to
encourage and support healthier eating; and
o the Department of Justice provides gym facilities for their staff at several
locations.
The Local Government „menu of options‟ has provided funding for a corporate triathlon
in March 2005.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Food Supply
The supply of healthy foods to rural and remote settings in Australia is a major concern, as
people in these groups are more overweight or obese than their counterparts in urban settings.
In 2005, further activities were implemented to provide more healthy food choices.
Australian Government:
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition Action Plan (NATSINSAP),
was initiated in October 2005 and a project officer has been assigned in Darwin for 12
months to implement the plan.
New South Wales:
All government schools are required to comply with the Fresh Tastes @School NSW
Healthy School Canteen Strategy by Term 1, 2005. Catholic and Independent schools are
encouraged to meet the requirements of the strategy.
Queensland:
Report of Healthy Food Access Basket Survey 2004 is available at
www.health.qld.gov.au.
All government schools are required to comply with Smart Choices- healthy food and
drink supply strategy for Queensland schools from 1 July 2006.
Australian Capital Territory:
Health Inequalities Action Model ACTCOSS is a supply network to address structural
barriers associated with costs of foods for “free food‟ services. A number of models have
been reviewed so far this year, for example, food bank and government purchasing. A
public forum in April 2005 was well attended.
South Australia:
Mai Wiru – Regional Stores Policy and associated regulations for the Anangu
Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands is available at
http://www.nganampahealth.com.au/upk.php.
A report of the Food Poverty and Health forum is now available.
Northern Territory:
National fruit and vegetables media campaign, supported by regional activities, was run
by the Nutrition Team with DHCS.
ALPA focus on healthy take-aways in remote communities.
Support and training to store managers and staff to promote healthy food in remote
communities.
Tasmania:
Launched the Tasmanian Food and Nutrition Policy.
Eat Well Tasmania held forums on Community Gardens, a community gardens network
has been established.
Victoria:
The Victorian Next Generation Food Strategy aims to promote competitiveness,
innovation and sustainability to strengthen the food processing industry. The Public
Health Group has made a commitment to establishing health and innovation meetings
between the food industry and Government. This will provide the opportunity to find
innovative approaches to healthy food that meets the dynamic lifestyles of the population.
VicHealth has made a five-year funding commitment to examine and explore the options
and strategies to improve access to healthy foods in local communities.
Food For All funding has been allocated by VicHealth to seven local governments to
address issues of food security within these municipalities.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Media and Marketing
The Australian media and marketing sector provided increased coverage of overweight and
obesity issues in 2005. The following examples illustrate work in this setting in 2005 to
promote healthy food and drink choices.
Australian Government:
Strand One of the Building a Healthy, Active Australia Initiative: The “Go for 2&5”
media campaign went to air on all major TV channels in late April 2005 and continued
until the end of June 2005. An evaluation of the campaign is currently underway.
Stand Two: the Physical Activity Information Program is currently under development
and due to be released in early February 2006.
Queensland:
The Go for 2 and 5™ campaign, based on the successful approach developed in Western
Australia, was launched in Queensland in October 2005, and will continue for over four
years. The campaign offers encouragement and practical solutions to achieve a healthy
lifestyle through television advertising, local community activities and links with a range
of other health programs. Further information is available on the website
www.gofor2and5.com.au.
New South Wales:
Developing a state-wide community education/social marketing campaign.
Australian Capital Territory:
Developed resources to compliment the Go for 2 and 5™ resources.
South Australia:
Coalition of Food Advertising to Children – a training kit and resource information is
available at http://www.chdf.org.au/.
The Department of Health is an industry partner with Children, Youth and Women‟s
Health Service in a Flinders University ARC funded research project to investigate
international food advertising regulation for children and propose models of regulation
that could be debated in Australia. An initial discussion paper has been produced.
Western Australia:
Provides assistance to other states to adapt and implement Go for 2 and 5 Fruit and
Vegetable campaign resources as part of the national campaign. A national campaign
licensing scheme has been developed to encourage a co-ordinated national approach
involving the government, fruit and vegetable industry and non government sector.
Tasmania:
Eat Well Tasmania has Community Support Levy funding to produce “Go for 2 and 5”
promotional materials to coordinate local activities and compliment the national
campaign.
Implementation of Find Thirty is ongoing.
PPAC is developing a promotional brochure re Physical Activity.
Victoria:
Launched the „Go For Your Life‟ strategy. A state-wide media and communications
campaign including TV, radio and press, is being implemented. It provides greater access
to information for all Victorians through the website www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au and
Call Centre 1300 739 899.
Northern Territory:
Disseminated physical activity guidelines for children and youth (pamphlets and
brochures) throughout the community. The DHCS has also added a physical activity
section to its website (under Nutrition and Physical Activity).
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Support for Families and Community-Wide Education
Increased community understanding of a balanced diet and recommended physical activity
levels can be increased through the sharing of knowledge, skills and attitudes by all citizens.
The following examples illustrate some of activities underway in 2005 in this setting.
Australian Government:
SNAP-O Simple Messages Resource - the Department of Health and Ageing is
developing a resource for consumers, which covers the smoking, nutrition, alcohol and
physical activity (SNAP) risk factors and overweight and obesity (SNAP-O). The
product will be a resource for public distribution that provides simple messages on the
SNAP-O components in a clear, consistent way that can be adopted by a range of non-
Government and Government organisations.
Overweight and Obesity Consumer Resources - the Department is also developing
consumer resources to compliment the NHMRC Clinical Practice Guidelines for the
Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults and the corresponding guidelines for
Children and Youth.
National Physical Activity Recommendations for Older People are currently under
development.
Queensland:
Under Eat Well, Be Active - healthy kids for life healthy weight information packs will be
mailed to every Queensland home to increase awareness about food and nutrition,
physical activity and healthy weight in children.
Over 30,000 copies of Australian physical activity and dietary guidelines and other
relevant publications, such as Fat in Food, are distributed every year.
Australian Capital Territory:
Distributed Go for 2 and 5 campaign materials and the Physical Activity Guidelines.
South Australia:
Launched the Go for 2 Fruit and 5 Veg Campaign on 29 April 2005 with the SA Fruit and
Vegetable Coalition.
Northern Territory:
Proposed National Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetables media campaigns
supported Territory wide by DHCS.
Dissemination of physical activity guidelines for adults, children and youth.
National Walk to School day supported and promoted.
New South Wales:
Developing a state-wide community education/social marketing campaign to target
parents/carers of children from 5-12 years of age.
Tasmania:
Our Kids Bureau is ongoing.
Tasmanian Food and Nutrition Policy has been redeveloped.
The PPAC website has been launched – it provides community information on how to set
up a walking group and ideas for increasing incidental activity.
Recent redevelopment of the DHHS website features a „Healthy Living‟ view for the
public with links to issues associated with health and wellbeing.
Victoria:
Funding has been available for a Victorian State child nutrition initiative to provide
training, resources and practice information for child and health professionals (including
Maternal and Child Health, childcare, pre-schools teachers, community dieticians, family
day care coordinators, family day carers and school nurses, with a total potential target of
approximately 7,200 professionals.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Whole-of-Community Demonstration Areas
Whole-of-Community demonstration sites provide opportunities for cross sectoral actions
and community ownership, which facilitates long-term change.
Victoria:
Funding four whole of community demonstration projects:
the Be Active, Eat Well Community Project is a „whole-of-community‟ demonstration
project that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children aged 2 to 12 years and
strengthen the local community through healthy eating and physical activity promotion.
This three-year project uses a multi-strategy (policies, environmental change, parent
education, community programs, social marketing, and curriculum) and multi-setting
approach (homes, kindergartens, schools, sport and recreation facilities, fast food outlets,
primary care and neighbourhoods;
Romp „n‟ Chomp, focuses on policy changes in early childhood services, training for
staff, education resources and social marketing messages in Geelong. The program aims
to decrease consumption of high sugar drinks and promote water and milk consumption;
decrease energy dense snacks and increase fruit consumption; increase home and family-
based activity and decrease TV viewing; and increase structured active play in
kindergarten and day care;
It's Your Move! aims to promote healthy eating patterns, regular physical activity and
healthy bodies amongst youth attending five schools in the East Geelong /Bellarine
District over the next three years. These schools are Bellarine Secondary College,
Catholic Regional College, Christian College Bellarine, Geelong High School and
Newcomb Secondary College; and
Fun 'n' healthy in Moreland aims to determine whether a whole school-community
intervention study involving school communities as decision makers can improve dietary
intake, increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours, improve child health
and wellbeing, and be sustainable. In addition the project aims to evaluate the impact and
cost-effectiveness of the intervention using a randomised controlled trial methodology, on
both the school as an environment and the children who pass through it. The fun „n
healthy in Moreland project is committed to promoting healthy living principles in
children in a framework that supports positive self esteem. It will operate within current
learnings regarding body image, obesity prevention and health promotion.
South Australia:
Eat Well Be Active community initiatives are making local contacts and developing
consultation processes. An evaluation and support team have been appointed.
Queensland:
Three community demonstration sites will be established and evaluated under Eat Well,
Be Active- healthy kids for life.
New South Wales:
Implementing the first phase of ASSIST (Area-based Services Strategic Implementation
Support Trials) Program which focuses on the prevention of childhood overweight and
obesity. The ASSIST program will employ an investment ($per capita) strategy for
focussed efforts on childhood obesity. The initiative will be implemented by the Hunter
New England Area Health Service over the next 5 years and focus on intervention
strategies, education, exercise and nutrition.
Australian Capital Territory:
ACT Health has provided seed funding to the Australian National University, National
Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) to establish an ACT Obesity
Sentinel Site Surveillance System.
NCEPH staff is involved in the ACT Health Healthy Weight Coordination Group.
Tasmania:
The Ulverstone Community House project has a “whole of community” approach and has
attracted business and community and Local Government involvement.
The Partnership agreements between State Government and Local Government, to
generate activity around a whole of community approach to physical activity and
healthier eating, are ongoing.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Evidence and Performance Monitoring
Research and analysis of current population trends, programs and policies provide a greater
understanding of the causes and consequences of overweight and obesity levels in Australia.
This evidence informs and assists policy, planning and management in order to arrive at
effective interventions in the future. The following examples illustrate the variety of
activities underway in this setting in 2005.
New South Wales:
Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) involved a survey, across all
three education sectors, of approximately 8,000 children from school years K, 2, 4, 6, 8
and 10. Questionnaire based measures included: socio-demographics; physical activity
and sedentary recreation; nutrition; dieting/weight loss beliefs, attitudes and behaviours
and perceptions of aspects of the social and physical environments relevant to physical
activity participation and food consumption. Direct measures included adiposity (height,
weight, waist girth, and hip girth), cardio-respiratory endurance, and fundamental
movement skill proficiency.
A sub-study was also conducted on approximately 600 Year 10 students, involving blood
pressure measurement and a blood sampling. The sub-study will consider the association
between body weight and risk factors for diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
The results are currently being finalised.
The SPANS survey has been conducted and a report is currently being drafted.
Information from the survey will inform government policy and initiatives.
Queensland:
State-wide survey to measure BMI, diet and physical activity behaviours among children
and young people will be conducted in early 2006. The final report is due December
2006.
Self-reported nutrition and physical activity behaviours are regularly monitored by CATI
survey.
Australian Capital Territory:
CATI Survey included questions on fruit and vegetable consumption and fruit and
vegetable campaign.
The Healthy Weight Surveillance and Monitoring sub-committee is working with
Population Health Research Centre officer to develop tools to monitor healthy weight
data of children in the ACT.
South Australia:
Monitoring of weight, height and trend data for adults is published. The report is
available at www. http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/PROS/pros-reports.html.
Monitoring of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, water consumption and breastfeeding
rates and Physical Activity in Adults. Physical activity levels and short reports are
available for 2004 on www.beactive.com.au.
Children, Youth and Women‟s Health Service data on 4 year olds (height and weight).
Developing Monitoring Indicators for the State Strategic Plan is currently underway.
Western Australia:
2003 WA Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (CAPANS).
2,275 7-16 year old students were surveyed state-wide, with anthropometric, diet and
physical activity measurements. Reports are available at http://www.patf.dpc.wa.gov.au/.
The number of children of unhealthy weight has increased from 9% to 23% of males and
10% to 30% of females since 1985.
2004 Nutrition Monitoring Survey. This tri-annual survey of nutrition attitudes and
barriers is conducted with a random sample of 1200 adults from Perth and three regional
areas. Reports including trend analysis over 12 years are currently being compiled.
Northern Territory:
Dissemination of the Northern Territory Physical Activity Survey 2003 Non-Indigenous
population.
Child Health and Well Being Survey completed 2004 – report being finalised. Included
information on nutrition and physical activity.
Review of data collected though community care information systems to determine
overweight and obesity rates in 4-6 year age groups.
Tasmania:
The whole of government Tasmanian Food and Nutrition Policy was launched.
The DHHS Agency policy framework for Physical Activity is nearing completion.
Women and Girls Active Participation Project is ongoing.
Local Government Partnerships Pilot program to assess the effectiveness of local level
strategies before expanding to other local government areas through the Partnership
process.
Victoria:
Assessing Cost-Effectiveness (ACE) – Obesity study at Melbourne University, to assess
the most cost-effective options for preventing unhealthy weight gain in Australia,
particularly amongst children and adolescents, and to inform policy-making at a national
and state level.
Conducts annually a Victorian Population Health Survey, which assesses fruit and
vegetable consumption and physical activity participation via CATI.
Australian Government:
The Department of Health and Ageing, the Department of Agriculture of Fisheries and
Forestry and the Australian Food and Grocery Council have each committed $1 million to
the establishment of a national children's nutrition and physical activity survey. The
survey will collect data on the food and nutrient intake, physical activity levels and
physical measurements such as height and weight among children and young people. The
survey will be conducted throughout 2006 and 2007.
HEALTHY WEIGHT 2008
Coordination and Capacity Building
Increasing the capacity of governments, non-government organisations, industry,
professionals and the community will enable the effective promotion of healthy weight.
Australian Government:
Forty national sites will be provided with Women‟s Active Living Kits (WALK) and
$1,500 each to initiate the 10,000 Steps a day program for women.
New South Wales:
Human Services CEO‟s Forum is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the
NSW Action Plan for the prevention of obesity in children and young people. The forum
has received two progress reports from their sub-committee on progress on actions within
the NSW Action Plan.
Queensland:
The Queensland Chronic Disease and Indigenous Health strategies have provided
additional funding to bring new recurrent investment incrementally up to $15.5M per
annum from 2002/03 to 2009/10. From 2002/03 to 2005/06, 93 new nutrition, physical
activity and relevant Indigenous health staff have been recruited throughout Queensland.
The nutrition-specific workforce in Queensland Health has grown from a total of 118.5
full time equivalents (FTE) in March 2002 with less than 15% focus on primary
prevention, to 180 FTE in August 2005 with 50% focus on primary prevention.
Australian Capital Territory:
ACT Health Nutrition Leadership Group portfolio has been established to improve
coordination and advice on policy and strategic directions and best practice across ACT
Health.
Sport and Recreation initiatives have conducted training for after-school care staff so that
structured and unstructured play can be offered regularly; and parent and providers
information and play fact sheets distributed through Kids at Play and Play for Life
philosophy.
Western Australia:
Eat Well Be Active WA strategy has been developed as a framework for coordinated
action across the health sector to improve nutrition and physical activity. The Strategy is
coordinated by the DoH with a state-wide, interagency implementation and monitoring
committee.
South Australia:
South Australia‟s Strategic Plan has identified 70 targets. Leadership of each of these
targets have been allocated to specific Departments. Although there are other related
targets, two specific targets are: Target T 2.6 (lead by Department of Health), to reduce
the percentage of South Australian‟s who are overweight or obese by 10% in 10 years;
and Target 2.7 (lead by Office for Recreation and Sport) aims to exceed the Australia
average for participation in sport and physical activity within 10 years. Indicators for the
targets are currently being clarified. The Plan can be accessed at
www.stateplan.sa.gov.au/home.php.
The Healthy Weight Statewide Taskforce consultation phase is complete and a strategy is
currently being drafted.
The Ministerial Physical Activity Forum, supported by the Physical Activity Council,
agreed to have the “Be Active” message being used across Government and released the
“Be Active” Physical Activity Strategy for South Australia.
SA Fruit and Vegetable Coalition, which includes government and non-government
organisations from the health, horticulture, education and environment sectors who have
agreed to work together to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, have signed an
MOU to work with Department of Health to implement the 2&5 Campaign.
Dept Education and Children‟s Services (DECS) have formed the healthy eating
reference group, to advise DECS and member agencies on healthy eating in education and
childcare services.
Tasmania:
Have developed a State-wide Physical Activity Plan – consultations have been held and a
Future Direction Workshop was held in June 2005.
The DHHS Physical Activity Policy is in the consultation phase.
The Tasmania Together (TT) Health and Wellbeing Cluster is an interdepartmental
committee that brings together all sectors of state government to identify priorities and
plan a cohesive approach to addressing issues impacting on the health and wellbeing. The
issues are those that are outside the jurisdiction of any one department, or are more
effectively dealt with as whole of government issues. Priorities emerging for action at
this stage include: public liability issues, planning and development, advice on
appropriate benchmarks to gauge progress against TT goals, and a Tasmanian Drug and
Alcohol Plan.
Victoria:
Healthy and Active Victoria strategy encompasses the Go for Your Life campaign and a
range of initiatives incorporating obesity and diabetes prevention, physical activity
promotion and community involvement/volunteering. Ongoing action to increase
coordination and capacity building through supporting the involvement of other groups
and sectors will be accomplished.
Northern Territory:
„goNT‟, a proposed whole of government and community initiative on physical activity is
still awaiting Government endorsement.
National Obesity Taskforce Contacts
Victoria
Ms Jan Norton (03) 9637 4212 jan.norton@dhs.vic.gov.au
New South Wales
Ms Kate Purcell (02) 9391 9814 kpurc@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Queensland
Mr Michael Tilse (07) 3234 0622 michael_tilse@health.qld.gov.au
South Australia
Dr Kevin Buckett (08) 8226 7106 kevin.buckett@health.sa.gov.au
The Australian Capital Territory
Mr Michael Sparks (02) 6205 1107 michael.sparks@act.gov.au
Tasmania
Dr Roscoe Taylor (03) 6222 7729 roscoe.taylor@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Western Australia
Dr Simon Towler (08) 9222 2231 simon.towler@health.wa.gov.au
The Northern Territory
Dr David Ashbridge (08) 8999 2441 david.ashbridge@nt.gov.au
The Australian Government
Mr Andrew Stuart (02) 6289 4522 andrew.stuart@health.gov.au
Secretariat
Ms Sue McHutchison (02) 6289 8219 sue.mchutchison@health.gov.au