Australia ‘running behind’ in obesity prevention policy, health specialists say – WBNews

Posted February 13, 2017 00:33:15 It is a national epidemic that leaves its sufferers trapped inside their own bodies; isolated, depressed and misunderstood. Key points: Renee Gilbert and sister Zoe can’t remember time when their weight was normal “You can’t get any help from the Government or the community,” Renee said Lack of coordinated national policy unacceptable, health specialist says Obesity affects almost a quarter of Australians, but help can be almost impossible to find. Renee Gilbert and her sister Zoe cannot ever remember a time their weight was normal. “I was bullied from basically kindergarten until I finished year 12, just because I wasn’t as skinny as all the other girls in my year,” Zoe said. “It was bringing me down, I thought I was worthless and not worth anything, and it just got too much.” Australia’s powerful coalition of presidents of medical colleges is issuing a call to arms — a coordinated national approach to combat obesity is needed, and it is needed now. It is a message that Renee and Zoe strongly endorse. “You can’t get any help from the Government or the community, there needs to be more facilities and more support,” Renee said. Proposed reforms include: Obesity toolboxes for health workers Healthier food in hospitals Obesity prevention in pregnant women Federal Government efforts in recent years have focussed on the promotion of physical activity and voluntary food star rating system criticised as heavily flawed. Chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) Professor…more detail