Call for Dedicated Action within Children’s Portfolio
The Tasmanian Greens today used Budget Estimates to ramp up their campaign for action against childhood obesity.
Greens Children’s spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP called on the Minister for Children Michelle O’Byrne to ensure that an integrated whole-of government approach is taken to tackle the alarming childhood obesity findings of the recent 2013 State of Public Health report.
“I’m not convinced that the Minister has picked up on the seriousness of this issue,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“The percentage of obese and overweight children between the ages of 5 and 17 in Tasmania has almost doubled in the past five years to almost one in three.”
“Tasmania now has the highest childhood overweight and obesity rate in the country, with numbers up by 7000 in five years about 20,000 children into that category. That’s enough to fill about 14 large high schools.”
“We need to ensure that there is an integrated and consistent approach across all government agencies responsible for the welfare of children, including the Children, Education, health and Sports and Recreation portfolios.”
“We need see stronger action at the state level, which is why the Greens will next month convene an expert roundtable of health and community stakeholders to develop on a childhood obesity action plan.”
“Unless we take action right now, we are facing an obesity-driven tsunami of diabetes, cancer and, cardio vascular disease.”
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health Spokesperson Tuesday, 4 June 2013
