AMA (NSW) President: World Obesity Day reminds us of our largest health threat

AMA (NSW) President, Prof Brad Frankum, says World Obesity Day is yet another reminder of the perilous health standards we are accepting if current trends continue.

“World Obesity Day should be a wakeup call that everyone needs to do more to prevent overweight and obesity, especially in childhood.

“When it comes to these conditions, prevention is far better than a cure and we know that habits set when we’re young carry through into adulthood.

“We need to promote healthy eating, sufficient levels of exercise, and make these things easier for people to do,” Prof Frankum said.

“At the same time we need to do more to ensure people who are overweight or obese don’t feel unfairly persecuted

“That said, from a health standpoint, overweight and obesity are damaging to people’s quality of life, longevity, and these conditions place them at greater risk of a number of deadly diseases.

“Overweight and obesity contribute to elevated risk for life-threatening and life-limiting conditions like type two diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

“As a doctor, I want everyone to have the best chance at leading a long, happy life,” Prof Frankum said.

“The World Obesity Day campaign is focussing on the threats to people’s health if current trends continue by 2025.

“With one in five children in Australia overweight or obese and one in two adults, as a population, we are already facing some dire health outcomes in 2016.

“The need for national action on this issue has never been greater and will only increase as time goes on.

“Quite simply, we are facing a tsunami of disease that can be directly tied to overweight and obesity but it’s only going to get worse from here unless we take action now,” Prof Frankum said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955