KIM WATERS
Geelong’s childhood obesity rate is still “very high” despite new research showing a state-wide reduction, according to Deakin University researchers.
They warned the city’s parents to monitor their children’s diets and activity levels as Geelong became the “centre of action” in Australia’s fight against childhood obesity.
Deakin Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention researcher Melanie Nichols said Geelong was now at the forefront of research into weight problems among Victorian children aged as young as two.
Ms Nichols regarded recent findings of a slight decrease in childhood obesity since 1999 as “positive” but warned the fight was far from over.
“Certainly we’ve seen a small decrease but it’s not the end of the story. Levels of pre-school obesity are still fairly high and there is lots, lots, lots more to do.”
Ms Nichols said a recent Deakin University study revealed rates of obesity in Victorian preschoolers had dropped 3.1 per cent in three-year-olds and 1.1 per cent children aged two.
“Our study isn’t able to determine the causes of childhood obesity and we certainly need to do more research to figure that out,” she said.
“There is a lot the government can do to support parents and make it easier for them to make healthy choices. For example, we can reduce the exposure young kids have to the marketing of unhealthy foods.”
Ms Nichols said obesity in young children threatened mental-health problems as well as physical harm.
“The biggest risk is that it will stay with the children when they get older. That’s why something needs to be done early on in life.”
Deakin obesity expert Professor Boyd Swinburn said the latest results proved Victoria’s high childhood obesity rate could be overcome.
But he warned parents that the rates among Geelong pre-school children were still “very high”.
“Early childhood is a critical stage for embedding healthy habits,” Prof Swinburn said.