National Obesity Strategy

Overview

Have your say on a national obesity strategy.

Overweight and obesity is an issue affecting our whole community. Take action and join in the consultations on a national obesity strategy. You can be a part of creating a healthier future.

A range of social, environmental and economic factors contribute to obesity and impact a person’s ability to maintain a healthy weight. If the current trend continues, more than 18 million Australians (two-thirds of our projected population) will be overweight or obese by 2030.

To address this significant public health challenge, the Australian and state and territory governments through the COAG Health Council have agreed to develop a national obesity strategy.

A range of ideas and options have been developed and are in the Consultation Paper. This is accompanied by a Summary Consultation Paper. 

These ideas are based on information gathered from two evidence reviews (Population level strategies support healthy weight and Addressing social commercial determinants healthy weight), a practice review and the outcomes of the Senate Select Committee Inquiry into the Obesity Epidemic (2018) and a National Obesity Summit in 2019.

How to have your say

Open consultation is an opportunity to have your say to help shape a national obesity strategy.

The consultations close at 11.59pm on Sunday, 15 December 2019.

There are a range of ways you can provide input.

Surveys

There are two types of surveys:

• A long-form online survey for stakeholders and organisations. This is a detailed online survey, which takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. It is most relevant for organisations or interested individuals who want to have their say about the specific ideas and strategies being considered for inclusion in a national obesity strategy.
• A shorter online survey for community members and individuals to have their say about barriers for eating healthily and doing more physical activity and what ideas might help to prevent overweight and obesity in our communities. This survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

 The surveys close at 11.59pm on Sunday, 15 December 2019.

While completing the surveys you may want to refer to the Consultation Paper or the Summary Consultation Paper. The Consultation Paper provides details of the proposed framework and ideas for consideration to be included in a national obesity strategy. You may also wish to download the word version of the survey to review prior to submitting your response online.

An Easy Read version of the summary paper is available with key questions for discussion or for people to have their say.

Community forums

Seven community forums are being held across the country, in most states and territories, during November and December 2019.

These face-to-face community consultations include:

Open community forums - held in seven locations, providing an opportunity to discuss issues and ideas with a range of stakeholders and community members. A list of forums is provided below. Click on your location to register to attend a forum.

Community discussions - held in several regional and other communities, these conversations are a way to share your ideas. To express interest in participating in a discussion group or other activity at one of the locations listed, contact The Social Deck at engage@thesocialdeck.com 

National webinar - An interactive consultation webinar will be held in December (date to be confirmed). This is open to anyone to join via an online link, however you will need to register your interest here.

[each event below will link to an Eventbrite registration]

What happens next

Information gathered during these consultations will help to inform the new national obesity strategy to be considered by COAG Health Council later in 2020.