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Make canteens fat free - doctors
AMA Victoria President, Dr Mark Yates today called on the state government to invest in the fight against childhood obesity by supporting schools to run healthy canteens.
Dr Yates said that while some schools had implemented healthy food policies in their school, most continue to sell high fat, high sugary foods simply because “they sell”.
“School canteens should not be seen as a money making exercise for schools. If schools are being forced to sell unhealthy food because they are relying on the profits from sales then the government needs to step in and assist with the necessary funds,” Dr Yates said.
“We need to create an educational environment that is beneficial to the brain, and the mind, body and soul.
“In the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, state government’s saw schools as a way of ensuring children had the benefits of milk every day. Today, school tuckshops can be helping educate students about nutrition and good eating habits.”
Dr Yates said parents must also realise the health risks they are exposing their children to through poor diet. “It is parents who are responsible for breakfast, dinner and often the contents of lunchboxes. They need to be motivated to take the effort to provide healthier, more nutritious foods and to encourage regular exercise,” he said.
Dr Yates said that lifestyle changes could prevent chronic health conditions associated with obesity.
“Remember that fit and healthy children and adults come in a diverse range of body shapes and sizes.
“The incidence of childhood and adolescent obesity has trebled over the last decade. Many of these children progress into adulthood with health problems associated with obesity.
“Currently 56 per cent of Australian adults and 27 per cent of Australian children are overweight or obese.
“Childhood obesity in Australia has been estimated to be rising at an annual rate of 1 per cent, meaning half of all young Australians will be overweight by the year 2025, he said.
“New disorders present in obese adolescents include asthma, fatty liver, hypertension type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnoea.
“We must act now before we have a situation that our already struggling medical system will fail to cope with,” Dr Yates said.
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