Northern Territory Government Should Act On Youth Obesity

The Territory Opposition have lambasted the Martin Government for policy sloth on the growing obesity epidemic gripping Territory children and demanded the implementation of the Opposition's School Canteen Food Standards Policy.

"The Access Economics Report released today makes disturbing reading and there is no longer any excuse for the Martin Government's policy vacuum in this area,” says Terry Mills, Opposition Deputy Leader.

"We need decisive action to halt the surge in the number obese kids and encouraging health eating at school is a very important first step.

"The Oppositions policy is based on the most influential international research and adapted to the local conditions, including using the Australian stop light colour code.

"By way of contrast the Martin Government is satisfied with doing no more than making fatuous claims that the Oppositions school food policy is plagiarised. Not only is that untrue, it also highlights the fact the Government has no policy of its own.”

According to the report, nationally there are now 280,000 obese children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 amongst the 3.24 million obese people in Australia.

Total obesity numbers are expected to rise to 4.2 million or 16.7% of the population by 2025, although the worst case scenario will result in 7.2 million Australian obese Australian by 2025.

"I fully expect the national figures will be reflected in the Territory,” says Mr Mills.

"The cost of obesity, both to the individuals struggling with its consequences and the community in general, are significant.

"Failure to act now will impose a crippling cost on future health budgets and produce profound personal consequences for many individuals struggling with being overweight.”

2006-10-18