Population Health
Health Promotion

About Childhood Overweight and Obesity

Prevention and treatment of childhood overweight and obesity in NSW is a serious public health issue. The NSW Premier has announced that tackling childhood obesity is a priority for the NSW government. The target is to reduce overweight and obesity rates of children by 5 per cent over 10 years (by 2025).

With the second highest childhood overweight and obesity rate in the state—almost 6% above the state average of 22.4%—South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) has been nominated as a priority focus area from July 2016. This provides us with a significant opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of locally relevant, community based initiatives in combination with a portfolio of state-wide efforts.

In November 2017 SWSLHD released the ‘Growing Healthy Kids in South West Sydney’ Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention and Management Action Plan 2017-2025. This Plan presents a strategic approach to the prevention and management of childhood overweight and obesity in South West Sydney (SWS), and forms part of the larger New South Wales (NSW) response to the Premier’s statement that this is a key priority for NSW. SWSLHD will direct and guide an response that will be implemented collaboratively across multiple government and community agencies.

Headline Initiatives will include:

  • Engaging parents of young children in their homes and communities
  • Reaching multicultural, Aboriginal and vulnerable communities
  • Creating healthier physical activity and food environments
  • Providing weight-management advice and services

Childhood Overweight and Obesity

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Page last updated: 30 November, 2017