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Australia: the healthiest country by 2020
National Preventative Health Strategy - Overview

Action on obesity: A role for all Australians

Table of contents

Targets: halt and reverse the rise in overweight and obesity in Australia by 2020

Increase the proportion of children and adults meeting national guidelines for healthy eating and physical activity by 15% within six years; and with healthy body weight by 3% within ten years
Ensure Australian children have a healthy start to life

Increase levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour

Establish a Prime MInister’s Council on Active Living and develop a National Framework for Active Living

Increase the availability and demand for healthier food products, and decrease the availability and demand for unhealthy food

Encourage people to improve their levels of physical activity and healthy eating through social marketing

Implement sustained national social marketing campaigns to increase physical activity and healthy eating, and reduce sedentary behaviour

Develop, implement and evaluate health, nutrition and physical activity policies
Incorporate Health and Physical Education into the National Curriculum
Establish a system to monitor the policy requirement of at least two hours of physical activity per week
Support active transport to and from school
Expand coverage of out of school healthcare programs
Provide community access to school recreation facilities after-hours

Conduct research into economic barriers and enablers, policies and tax incentives to:
- Inform national active living framework and actions
- Promote production, access to and consumption of healthier foods
Reduce exposure of children and others to marketing, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of energy-dense nutrient-poor foods and beverages
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of industry self-regulation
- Identify shortfalls in the voluntary approach and address these through the introduction of a co-regulatory agreement
- Introduce legislation if these measures are not effective
Commission a review of potential legislative changes to promote the uptake of workplace health programs

Establish a Healthy Food Compact with governments, non-government organisations and research institutions to drive change within the food supply
Work with the Australian Government to design, implement and evaluate trials of a national food labelling system for front-of-pack and menus

Work with food and beverage industries to increase the marketing, advertising and promotion of healthy foods and beverages
Work with governments to promote physical activity and healthy eating through social marketing

Work with government to develop a national accord for best practice in workplace health
Implement workplace nutrition and physical activity policies in accordance with best practice
Offer employees access to nationally accredited workplace health programs, including risk assessment and risk modification programs
Participate in voluntary benchmarking and award scheme for workplace health
Support active transport to and from work

Adopt Healthy Places and Spaces planning guidelines in local government
As part of the COAG Healthy Communities Initiative, establish a series of community intervention trials with a major focus on healthy eating and active living
Develop, pilot and implement a new Healthy and Active Families Initiative

Introduce health impact assessments in all policy development
Fund and promote policies and programs which encourage physical activity and healthy eating within schools, workplaces and the community

Eat a variety of food, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, oily fish, beans, nuts, and low fat dairy products
Limit intake of foods with high amounts of sugar, salt and fat
Drink water and limit intake of soft drinks and alcohol
Moderate portion sizes
Be physically active every day, and if appropriate do some vigorous exercise
Use active transport where possible – walk, ride a bike, take the stairs
Reduce the amount of time sitting still at home and in the workplace
Seek advice and guidance from your doctor, a dietician or physical activity health professional

Be a positive role model to children regarding physical activity and healthy eating
Eat at least one healthy meal a day together as a family
Turn off the TV or computer and get active
Participate in fun physical activity as a family

Strengthen, upskill and support primary health care workforce to support people in making healthy choices
Embed preventative health interventions in the primary health care setting
Expand primary health services to deliver or develop referral pathways to advice and support about weight loss, physical activity and healthy nutrition
Offer brief interventions to support specific issues experienced
by people in low income communities
Implement evidence-based clinical guidelines and training packages to support primary health workers to manage overweight and obesity

Address maternal and child health, enhancing early life and growth patterns
Ensure women planning pregnancy and pregnant women receive information, education and support to prevent lifestyle risks of excessive weight, poor nutrition, alcohol and smoking.
Encourage and support breastfeeding in accordance with the NHMRC Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia

Reduce obesity prevalence and burden and close the gap in Indigenous communities
Work with government and community organisations to implement multi-component programs which improve knowledge and promote healthier behaviours regarding physical activity and nutrition in the Indigenous community
Work with Maternal and Child Health Services to strengthen antenatal, maternal and child health services for Indigenous communities
Participate in Healthy Communities Initiative community intervention trials

Support low income communities to improve their levels of physical activity and healthy eating
Work in partnership with government and community organisations to improve knowledge and promote healthier behaviours regarding physical activity and nutrition in the community
Participate in Healthy Communities Initiative community intervention trials

Build the evidence base, monitor and evaluate effectiveness of actions