Making Australia a healthier country by 2020.

The Australian Government has released the National Preventative Health Strategy which outlines how it will make Australia a healthier country by 2020. It plans to do this by addressing the major health issues of obesity, tobacco and alcohol and to close the health gap between indigenous and non indigenous populations.

Ten key steps are identified in tackling obesity in adults as well as children. Step 7 specifically adresses maternal and child health, because of its importance in early life to future growth and development. As a mother's health impacts on her child, the report recommends establishing and implementing a national program to inform pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy of the importance of following a healthy lifestyle, so that overweight, inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking and excess alcohol can be avoided. It also recommends supporting and implementing a National Breast Feeding Strategy.

Other key steps to tackle obesity of relevance to children include increasing physical activity; encouraging the food industry to produce healthier foods with more appropriate portion/serve sizes and easier to read food labels; and to reduce the advertising, marketing and sponsorship of high energy, nutrient poor foods. Many manufacturers have already volunteered not to advertise these foods before 9pm on free and pay TV and to phase out offers of toys and use of celebrities and well known children characters to promote then. A repeat of the National Childrens Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey is planned for 2012.

The full report- Australia: The Healthiest Country by 2020- National Preventative Health Strategy- the roadmap for action - can be accessed at:- http://www.yourhealth.gov.au/internet/yourhealth/publishing.nsf/Contents/nphs-report-roadmap