Colour coding, labelling tackle obesity
Email Print Normal font Large font October 26, 2006 - 4:14PM
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AdvertisementFood colour coding and vital nutritional and calorie information on products will help combat the rising incidence of obesity, Health Minister Tony Abbott says.
A balanced diet is one of the best ways of tackling the problem which affects many Australians, Mr Abbott said while promoting an obesity reduction program in Sydney.
"All of these measures are good because they start to educate the Australian people," Mr Abbott told reporters.
"I don't think we are foolish or indulgent.
"I think we want to do the right thing but we will do it better and more readily if we've got the information we need."
The "Healthy Active Ambassador" program is supported by Socceroos star Harry Kewell and Sydney hotel chef Luke Mangan who was announced as the latest high profile ambassador at Westfields Sports High School, Kewell's former high school, at Fairfield in Sydney's west.
Kewell and Mr Mangan are joined by athletics champion Cathy Freeman and swimming legend Kieran Perkins who are both eager to promote nutritional food and regular exercise.
Kewell, who is in Australia for treatment on a foot and groin injury, said he was "jumping the first hurdle to get the message of healthy food across to parents and children".
"The message is plain and simple, eat healthy and have a great life," Kewell said.
He admitted he was surprised to read statistics on how overweight and obese Australians were.
"When I was explaining it to the kids out there I was always boasting that we Australians are the best at everything - at sport, at swimming and when I heard that, I had to take a step back because the facts weren't right there."
He said promoting healthy eating could help turn the tide of obesity and increase the rates of healthy living.
Mr Mangan, the executive chef of Glass Brasserie at the Sydney Hilton, brought a sample of a healthy salad sandwich lunch to the school which he had prepared earlier.
"It is easy to eat junk food, but what's even easier is to eat healthy food and live a healthy lifestyle," Mr Mangan said.
Obesity in Australia
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