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Hundreds of steps in the right direction, says AMA Victoria
19 May 2011
AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley today encouraged parents to make tomorrow’s Walk Safely to School Day a regular habit.
“Child obesity is a critical issue for many countries,” Dr Hemley said. “It is a disease that can become complex and even catastrophic - and Australia is certainly not immune.”
“About 30 per cent of Australian children have low fitness levels. Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and are more likely to develop non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.”
There are many reasons for poor health in children, Dr Hemley said. These include:
- the popularity of sedentary entertainment such as movies and video games
- reluctance to ride to school because of traffic density and safety concerns, and
- the prevalence and popularity of ‘fast food’ outlets.
“Doctors see cases of childhood obesity too often so we are delighted that the Walk Safely to School Day is in its 12th year and is still going strong,” he said.
The event encourages parents, carers and their children to build walking into their daily routine.
“It’s a case of hundreds of steps in the right direction and we hope it becomes a habit.”
AMA Victoria has also called on the Victorian Government to develop a long term obesity strategy.
“Obesity is the most pressing public health issue in Victoria,” said Dr Hemley. “More Victorians are overweight and obese now than ever before.”
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