Obesity awareness campaign

Students on the Peninsula are to participate in an obesity awareness campaign run by Central Coast Health.

As part of the campaign, local schools will take part in competitions designed to raise community awareness about obesity in children.

A primary school competition will encourage children to eat healthy foods, take part in physical activity and reduce sedentary activities.

Secondary students will be able to design a concept for a television commercial that presents overweight and obesity as an issue the audience can do something about.

The winning design will be professionally produced and shown on local television.

There will also be a series of questions and answers in local media about childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity, designed to get people talking about the factors contributing to obesity.

"We have already had a response from Woy Woy PS and Pretty Beach PS entering their students in the competition," said Central Coast Health promotion officer Ms Niki Kajons.

"Combined this is reaching close to 700 public school students in the Peninsula area.

"We have also had a response from Brisbane Water Secondary College, which has organised a contact person to coordinate the students from their school wishing to enter the competition," she said.

She said that an alarming rise in overweight and obesity levels in young people represented a major public health issue.

In 1995, around one in every five children in NSW were overweight or obese, with rates now closer to one in three, she said.

"Obesity is the most common health issue facing our children today and the consequences are serious," Ms Kajons said.

"Overweight and obese children are at risk of developing many health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and eventually cardiac disease.

"Problems that were traditionally only seen in adults are now being seen in children.

"The prevention and management of obesity in children is a priority, as there is a high risk of obesity continuing into adulthood.

"Obese adults who were overweight as adolescents have higher levels of weight-related ill health, and a higher risk of early death than those who only become obese in adulthood.

"Community action is crucial for such a complex issue, as there are no single strategies that will impact on obesity levels

"Schools are one environment to make a start in turning the problem around.

"By getting information across to families, as well as influencing the school environment where children spend a large amount of their time, we can start to make a difference."

Press release, January 20