One in five Australian children are overweight before they start school, according to new research, and with Tasmania having the highest obesity rate in the country, experts are warning parents to act now.
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The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health this week, also found about 5 per cent of children aged between two and four were classified as obese.
Researchers estimated the direct public health burden attributed to early childhood obesity was as much as $17 million each year.
“Obesity is indeed a public health concern in Tasmania, with Tasmania having the highest overweight and obesity rates of any Australian state or territory,” Eat Well Tasmania executive officer Nenita Orsino said.
According to a five-year strategic plan for a healthier Tasmania, launched in July 2016, 29 per cent of two to 17 year old Tasmanians were overweight or obese, compared to 25.8 per cent nationally.
“Childhood obesity is not only a significant risk factor for early onset of chronic diseases such as type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but can also limit optimal development and increase the risk of psychological and social problems.”
Ms Orsino said as well as the physical health issues, children who were overweight or obese also had a higher risk of social isolation, discrimination, bullying and low self-esteem.
“Parents can be encouraged in knowing that obesity is mainly preventable, and by helping their children to establish healthy eating and regular exercise habits from early childhood through to their teenage years, they are going a long way to help prevent childhood obesity and obesity later in life.
“Along with this, it is never too late to start to encourage healthier eating and exercise habits. Most important is getting children to have adequate vegetable intake.”
The state government last year announced a $6.4 million investment over a four-year period to encourage better nutrition and physical health in Tasmanian communities. The Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan consisted of 24 actions aimed at illness prevention, education and intervention.
“This is the next step forward in our work to overhaul our health system from end-to-end,” Health Minister Michael Ferguson said.
