Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Australia Policy

Running head: HEALTHCARE POLICY 1
Healthcare Policy
Students Name
Institutional Affiliation

HEALTHCARE POLICY 2
Introduction
Obesity is a global health concern and occurs when one has excess weight or body fat
that might have adverse effects on their health. The prevention and management of overweight
and obesity in Australia policy has failed to achieve its objectives and goals, which is clear from
the increase in the prevalence rate of obesity. In Australia, the prevalence of Obesity has
increased in recent years, making it a significant public health issue in the country. The financial
costs of obesity are very high in Australia. For instance, in 2011-2012, obesity cost the economy
an estimated 8.6 billion dollars (Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in
Australia Policy, n.d.). In 2017-2018, 67% of the adults were obese, representing two-thirds of
the total population. This shows a rise from 63.4% in 2012-2015. There has been an increase in
the prevalence of obesity and overweight 57% in 1995 to 67% in 2017. Research indicates that
the prevalence of severe obesity has doubled from 5% to 9% during this period. In 2014-2015,
the prevalence of overweight and obesity among men and women was 71% and 56%
respectively (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2017).
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2017) states that in 2017 to 2018, the percentage of obese
or overweight children aged 5-17 years was 24.9%, which represents one-quarter of the total
population. In 2014-2015, 11% of the children aged 2-4 were overweight, while 9% were obese.
This shows that 1 in 5 of the children was either overweight or obese. 20% of the adolescents
and children aged 5-17 were overweight, while 7% were obese. This indicates that 1 in 4 of the
adolescents and children aged 5-17 are either obese or overweight, which is a high number
(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2017). The most affected populations are the Aboriginal people
and those from low socio-economic status backgrounds due to the lack of access to quality foods
and lack of physical activity. This is attributed to the fact that they lack sufficient funds to

HEALTHCARE POLICY 3
purchase healthy foods, and hence they end up taking unhealthy foods such a those with high fat
and sugar levels (Australian National Preventative Health Agency, 2011).
The reason I have chosen the prevention and management of overweight and obesity in
Australia policy is that I have been concerned with the increase in the obesity cases and the
adverse effects it has had on the Australian people. I have chosen the policy as it has an excellent
plan that if well implemented, can lead to reduced prevalence of Obesity. The policy document
has indicated the various interventions that can help reduce the rate of obesity. The Policy
statement includes the fact that the global increase in the levels of obesity has a significant effect
on the health population. Secondly, the policy statement states that the prevalence rate of obesity
in Australia is very high, especially among the people from low socio-economic backgrounds
and the Aboriginal and Torres Islander people. Also, it indicates that 5 in 2011, .5% of the
disease and Injury burden in Australia was attributed to obesity and overweight (Policy Position
Statements, n.d.).
Thirdly, the policy document indicates that the economic and social costs of obesity are
extremely high and that without appropriate interventions, the costs would reach 87.7 billion by
2025. Also, the policy statement indicates that about 80% of obese or overweight children risk
becoming overweight or obese adults. Fourthly, the policy document suggests that lack of
physical activity and unhealthy diets are the leading causes of obesity, and hence, these should
be primary areas of focus to help reduce obesity. Lastly, the policy statement explains that
Australia lacks a comprehensive ongoing national obesity plan and that the current initiatives by
the commonwealth, territory and state governments are not sufficient to help reduce the obesity
rates (Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Australia Policy, n.d.).

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In the prevention and management of overweight and obesity in Australia policy, there is
the suggestion that the Commonwealth, state and territory government should declare obesity
and overweight as a national priority. Secondly, there is a suggestion that they should create a
National Obesity Task Force to help ensure proper coordination in the prevention and
management of obesity. Also, they should secure adequate funding to help establish an active,
healthy weight plain (Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Australia
Policy, n.d.). Lastly, they should ensure that there is a coordinated engagement among the
relevant stakeholders such as Non-governmental organisations, food manufacturers and the
advertising agencies (Commonwealth of Australia, 2014).
In the policy document, the government is encouraged to regulate the advertisement of
unhealthy foods and increase the tax on unhealthy foods such as sugary drinks. Secondly, the
government should ensure that food labelling is mandatory on all packaged foods. Thirdly, the
government should support and establish physical activity and healthy eating guidelines in places
such as schools, health services and workplaces. Lastly, the government should ensure that
develops a transport strategy that encourages the use of other means of transport that can help
reduce obesity such as walking and cycling (Prevention and Management of Overweight and
Obesity in Australia Policy, n.d.).
In the policy document, the Public health association of Australia aims at monitoring the
progress of the implementation of the recommendations. It also aims at working with relevant
organisations to help ensure the prevention of obesity and overweight. It also aims at
contributing to advisory and public forums that deal with promoting healthy weight among the
people. The Association aims at ensuring that its members are well informed about the policy
and that they support it. It also aims at ensuring that it monitors the implementation of the