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The National Obesity Strategy will guide all governments as well as industry, and community partners to take actions to change the factors that promote unhealthy weight gain and to support those living with overweight and obesity.  

It will guide us to:  

• make systemic changes to better support all Australians to maintain a healthy weight, prevent further weight gain and reduce weight in people already living with overweight or obesity  
• develop prevention strategies to improve the environments and conditions around us, and support and empower people to live healthier lives  
• better embed prevention, early intervention and treatment into our health care system  
• have more positive discussions about healthy weight across society.

The root causes of overweight and obesity are complex and deeply embedded in the way we live. It is not simply a lack of self-control. Unhealthy food and drinks are often more convenient. They are heavily promoted, available almost everywhere, and in some instances are cheaper than healthier alternatives. Advances in technology and the sedentary nature of modern living means we don’t move as much as we used to. This creates unhealthy environments and conditions that make it harder for us to choose a healthy lifestyle. 

The strategy includes aspirational targets that require a societal and sustained approach for change to be achieved through action across 3 ambitions for all Australians to:  

1. live, learn, work, play and age in supportive, sustainable, and healthy environments   
2. be empowered and skilled to stay as healthy as they can be 
3. have access to early intervention and supportive health care. 

The enablers guide implementation are leadership, use of evidence and data, and investment for delivery.  

Implementation will be guided by 4 principles: 

• creating equity 
• tackling weight stigma and discrimination 
• addressing wider determinants of health and sustainability 
• empowering personal responsibility.   

The Queensland response to the National Obesity Strategy is led by Health and Wellbeing Queensland. Find out more on our website. If you have a question or would like to give feedback on the strategy, contact the Australian Government Department of health and aged care via or email enquiries@health.gov.au, switchboard 02 6289 1555 or free call 1800 020 103.

If you have a question or would like to give feedback on the strategy, contact the Australian Government Department of health and aged care via or email enquiries@health.gov.au, switchboard 02 6289 1555 or free call 1800 020 103.  

Resource sourced by Health and Wellbeing Queensland