National Obesity Strategy ‘unprecedented opportunity’ to reshape Queensland’s future

Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) welcomes the release of the National Obesity Strategy and is set to lead the state’s response to the strategy to protect the future health of Queenslanders.

The strategy, unveiled on World Obesity Day, aims to reduce overweight and obesity rates in Australia and HWQld supports its overall vision, principles, and ambitions.

Two-thirds of Queensland adults and one in four children are overweight or living with obesity, with this excess weight estimated to cost the Queensland health system $756 million per year.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive, Dr Robyn Littlewood, said it was time to double down on obesity to protect the future health of Queenslanders and ease pressure on the state’s health system.

“We are excited to be leading the state’s response to the strategy, to guide Queenslanders in collaborative actions to turn around the trend of unhealthy weight across the state. This is exactly what we have been set up to do,” Dr Littlewood said.

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to halt the growing obesity trend in Queensland. The strategy’s action plan provides a perfect platform to enable the next generation to live healthier and more active lives.

“With our circumstances and the environments where we live, work, learn and play being a key driver of obesity, we look forward to working with local agencies, organisations, and Queenslanders to strengthen the policy, environments, and service strategies needed to tackle obesity in our state.”

Dr Littlewood said the action plan would be created through an open, collaborative, and consultative process with local stakeholders, and across diverse sectors. It will align with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy program, the National Preventive Health Strategy, and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

“There will be options for you to put forward your ideas to generate solutions together soon,” Dr Littlewood said.

“We look forward to working together to build a state that encourages and enables a healthy weight and healthy living for all Queenslanders, no matter who they are or where they live. Queensland has already started this work and we couldn’t be more ready to make a real difference.”