An Australian parliamentary body is recommending a number of reforms in the food and drinks sphere to address the increasing prevalence of diabetes and obesity, especially among children. The House of Representatives Standing Committee has proposed improving the food labelling system to raise awareness about sugar content in food items. Additionally, they suggest implementing a tax on sugary drinks and regulating marketing and advertising of unhealthy foods aimed at children under 16.
Furthermore, the Committee has called for increased funding for obesity screening and better access to diabetes and weight-loss GLP-1 drugs. They emphasized the need for preventive measures to combat chronic illnesses like diabetes types 1 and 2, insulin resistance, and other related disorders. The Committee’s focus is on promoting access to healthy foods, reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages through a reformulation levy, and limiting advertising of high-sugar and processed foods, particularly to children.
The Committee also highlighted the importance of low-carbohydrate diets in managing diabetes and recommended their promotion and evaluation. They proposed front-of-pack identification of added sugar content on food labels and a tiered tax on sugary drinks based on sugar levels. Moreover, they emphasized the regulation of marketing and advertising aimed at children through various channels such as television, radio, online, and gaming platforms.
In addition, the Committee stressed the need for education-based obesity screening and expanding eligibility criteria for GLP-1 drugs. They acknowledged the strain placed on healthcare resources by individuals with type 2 diabetes and the implications for overall health services. The Committee also underscored the risks children face due to factors like lack of access to healthy diets, insufficient exercise, and inadequate education about diabetes risks.
Overall, the Committee’s recommendations aim to address the challenges posed by diabetes and obesity through comprehensive reforms in food labelling, marketing, and awareness campaigns. They believe that urgent action is needed to protect the health of the population and prevent future health complications.