Featured Resource

Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) is leading Queensland’s implementation response to the National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032. 

The national strategy outlines that 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 Queensland Obesity Prevention Strategy (QOPS) will be a balanced portfolio of actions spanning the 3 ambitions of the NOS:  

1. Creating supportive, sustainable and healthy environments 
2. Empowering people to stay as healthy as they can 
3. Access to early intervention and supportive health care 

It will: 

• Guide the Queensland Government, partners, and community in collaborative and cross-sectoral action 
• Help change factors that promote unhealthy weight gain 
• Support people living with overweight and obesity 
• Be comprehensive and evidence-based 
• Reduce inequity by addressing broader socioeconomic determinants and environmental factors 
• Tackle weight stigma and discrimination 
• Amplify existing actions and initiatives 
• Connect people and create new approaches for the future. 
   

The first 10-year strategy QOPS will be delivered over three phases. Each of the phases will be supported by a corresponding action plan. The first action plan will cover the period 2023-2025 and will focus on establishing strong foundations for change. The second action plan (2025-2029) will focus on bold innovation and transformational change, and the third (2029-2032) will centre on amplifying and scaling success to achieve sustainable changes. 

The draft Strategy and foundational Action Plan are currently being designed, based on findings from the initial engagement phase in July 2022 and involved almost 1,000 Queenslanders across the community, other sectors, and government.  HWQld will be engaging community members with lived experience to help shape the approach in the lead up to and during a second engagement phase in October-November 2022.  

HWQld will be engaging community members with lived experience to help shape the approach in the lead up to and during a second engagement phase in October-November 2022.  

Resource submitted by Health and Wellbeing Queensland