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Australia is falling behind different nations in addressing the unhealthy state of our diets.
A number of different nations, together with the UK, Canada and Mexico, have not too long ago taken main steps to assist enhance inhabitants vitamin and stop weight problems.
However our newest evaluation, launched as a part of the Worldwide Congress on Weight problems, has discovered main holes in Australian authorities coverage relative to worldwide greatest apply, with restricted coverage progress up to now 5 years.
What we assessed?
Our evaluation of the federal authorities included a scorecard of how Australia goes in 50 coverage areas for addressing unhealthy diets. These coverage areas embrace key influences on what we purchase and what we eat, together with insurance policies that have an effect on the value and affordability of various meals, the sorts of meals obtainable, how meals is labelled, and the way in which meals is promoted.
We labored carefully with authorities officers to doc present motion in every coverage space. We then assessed how current insurance policies in comparison with worldwide benchmarks.
Lastly, we made suggestions to deal with the gaps, prioritising them based mostly on their relative significance and feasibility. Eighty-four specialists from 37 organisations participated within the evaluation and prioritisation course of.
Learn extra:
No, it’s not only a lack of management that makes Australians obese. Right here’s what’s driving our unhealthy meals habits
How does Australia examine to different nations?
We discovered implementation of worldwide beneficial insurance policies for enhancing inhabitants diets and addressing weight problems in Australia falls far in need of worldwide greatest apply.
There was solely restricted coverage progress in Australia up to now 5 years.
Areas the place Australia is doing properly
One of many solely areas the place Australia fared properly was within the space of meals labelling, the place a few of the rules relating to ingredient lists, vitamin data panels and well being claims was rated among the many greatest on the earth.
The opposite space that scored Australia prime marks is that the GST doesn’t apply to contemporary fruit and greens, which helps decrease their costs relative to different much less wholesome merchandise.
What are different nations doing higher?
A number of different nations have carried out insurance policies to restrict the advertising of unhealthy meals and make it simpler for folks to decide on more healthy choices.
Nations in Latin America are main the way in which globally. Chile has put in place complete restrictions on TV promoting for unhealthy meals, conspicuous warning labels on the packaging of unhealthy merchandise, in addition to taxes on sugary drinks. Mexico has comparable insurance policies.
The warning labels on this product bought in Chile point out it’s excessive in power (energy), sugar, saturated fat and sodium (salt).
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Elsewhere on the earth, greater than 50 nations now have taxes on sugary drinks. There may be clear proof these taxes have decreased consumption of the taxed merchandise, whereas additionally incentivising mushy drink producers to cut back the sugar content material of their drinks.
A number of different governments are taking sturdy motion to guard youngsters from publicity to advertising of unhealthy meals. For example, the UK is ready to ban adverts for unhealthy meals on-line, and on TV earlier than 9pm from 2024. Canada has comparable legal guidelines earlier than their parliament.
The UK additionally simply launched main adjustments to how supermarkets function. Legal guidelines that got here into impact this month imply unhealthy merchandise can not be displayed in distinguished in-store areas, corresponding to store entrances and checkout areas.
As well as, the UK has proposed a ban on value reductions on unhealthy meals, though implementation stays unsure with the latest change in authorities management.
A number of different revolutionary insurance policies are in place internationally. For instance, in some elements of Mexico, retailers can’t promote unhealthy meals to youngsters. And in Argentina, there are legal guidelines dictating most sodium (salt) content material in a spread of merchandise.
Learn extra:
Sugary drinks tax is working – now it is time to goal muffins, biscuits and snacks
How unhealthy are Australian diets?
Unhealthy diets and weight problems are the main contributors to poor well being in Australia.
Lower than 7% of individuals in Australia eat a nutritious diet per the Australian Dietary Pointers.
Practically 65% of Australian adults, and 25% of Australian youngsters are obese or overweight.
Whereas there isn’t good knowledge on how these statistics have modified up to now few years, issues have possible received worse for the reason that begin of the COVID pandemic.
Until we see complete authorities motion to enhance inhabitants diets, there will probably be monumental well being and monetary prices to people, communities and the economic system general.
Learn extra:
BMI is underestimating weight problems in Australia, waist circumference must be measured too
What actions ought to Australia take?
Federal authorities coverage motion is required to enhance inhabitants diets and handle weight problems. This consists of:
defending youngsters from publicity to the advertising of unhealthy meals and drinks by way of complete and constant nationwide laws
implementing a well being levy on sugar-sweetened drinks (a sugar tax) and different unhealthy meals, whereas addressing the affordability of wholesome meals
enhancing meals labelling by mandating the Well being Star Ranking scheme and requiring warning labels on merchandise excessive in added sugar, sodium (salt) and/or saturated fats.
What’s holding us again?
Up to now 12 months, the previous federal authorities launched key methods on this space, together with the Nationwide Preventive Well being Technique (2021-2030) and the Nationwide Weight problems Technique (2022-2032). However this has but to lead to any adjustments on the bottom.
Critically, there may be sturdy assist from the Australian group for governments to impose increased requirements on advertising to assist youngsters’s well being and wellbeing. Greater than 75% of Australians additionally again warning labels on unhealthy meals.
It’s promising to see momentum constructing round a legislative ban on the advertising of unhealthy meals and drinks to youngsters.
Nevertheless it’s now time for the federal authorities to catch as much as the remainder of the world and implement significant coverage change to assist Australians enhance their diets.
Gary Sacks receives funding from the the Nationwide Coronary heart Basis of Australia, Nationwide Well being and Medical Analysis Council, Australian Analysis Council and VicHealth.
Davina Mann doesn’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or organisation that may profit from this text, and has disclosed no related affiliations past their tutorial appointment.
