A CQUniversity Professor of Physical Activity and Population Health says Australia should be looking at prevention approaches rather than treatment when it comes to obesity.

Professor Kerry MummeryProfessor Kerry Mummery acknowledges the burden that obesity is currently placing on individuals and on the health care system, but calls for more support in prevention, rather than treatment programs.

The Inquiry into Obesity in Australia - is investigating the long-term implications of obesity on the health system. http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa/obesity/index.htm

At the Brisbane public hearing yesterday (October 1) Doctor Linda Selvey from Queensland Health told the inquiry that Medicare rebates should be made available for accredited weight control programs.

"By recognising obesity as a chronic condition in its own right, rather than just a risk factor for chronic conditions, then that potentially opens up a number of existing Medicare items for people with chronic diseases," she said. (Source: ABC)

Professor Mummery said: "Obesity is a tremendous problem in all age groups and both genders. [See Central Queensland statistics below] Medicare rebates for accredited weight control programs are only a small step in the fight against obesity".

"More resources are required across a range of health, education and recreation groups to strengthen the preventive, rather than the treatment approach to this problem".

Central Queensland statistics

Overall

• 23.7% obese
• 61.9% overweight or obese

Gender

• Males = 24.9% obese
• Females = 22.4% obese

Age

• 18-34 = 21.7% obese
• 35-44 = 22.6% obese
• 45-54 = 22.9% obese
• 55+ = 22.9% obese

(Source: 2007 Central Queensland Social Survey, Population Research Laboratory, CQUniversity)

Costs of obesity

• Estimated at $3.767 billion in Australia in 2005

(Source: 2006, The economic costs of obesity, Access Economics Pty Limited)