In Australia, research shows 25 per cent of children are currently estimated to be at above healthy weight – 18 per cent overweight, 7 per cent obese. The problem is increasing.
Children from low-income and vulnerable families and living in isolated areas are more likely to be affected. By age four, children from low socioeconomic backgrounds are already more likely to be overweight than children from wealthier families; by adulthood, twice as likely.
The consequences are serious: higher risk of hospitalisation and gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and orthopaedic diseases, tooth decay, risk of being bullied, impact on school attendance and achievement – compounding the disadvantage.
If obesity continues into adulthood – again, more likely with social disadvantage – it’s linked with health concerns including heart disease, strokes, several cancers, type 2 diabetes and reduced life expectancy.
On June 28, Uniting’s Social Justice Forum joined with the NSW Council of Social Service and Cancer Council NSW to hold a forum for community sector representatives on the issue.
The forum, “Healthy weights: balancing the scales for children and young people”, was held at the Park Royal, Parramatta. It brought together academic experts with health and community sector leaders and practitioners to grapple with these crucial issues.
Questions addressed included: How can we ensure an equitable response to child overweight and obesity? What would be some useful strategies to counter the problem? And what role can the community sector play in this response?
The forum examined the broad policy levers required for change in whole populations, as well as showcasing practical initiatives to support the health of clients and communities.
The forum was seen as a first step in engaging the community sector more widely to address childhood obesity.
