A recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has confirmed that unhealthy eating is the new smoking with ‘overweight and obesity’ the number one risk factor contributing the highest cost to Australia’s health system, at $4.3billion versus $3.3billion for smoking.

Of the top 20 most expensive risk factors identified in the report, nine are directly linked to diet, costing Australia $16.2billion.1

Chief Executive Officer of Dietitians Australia, Robert Hunt is calling on the federal government to take immediate action against the nation’s ailing health.

“One quarter of our children and 67% of Australian adults are overweight or obese2,” Robert said.

“So, whether directly or indirectly, every single Australian is impacted by the issues from our nation’s diet.”

Robert explained the systemic issues include rising quantities of energy-dense nutrient-poor foods in Australia that are heavily marketed.

“The federal government has successfully reduced smoking in Australia through the National Tobacco Strategy that implemented plain packaging, health warnings and advertising bans,” Robert said.

“Not everyone smokes, but everyone must eat so we can’t afford to keep pushing this issue aside.”

The Morrison government’s 22-23 budget announced $700k toward the development of a National Nutrition Policy Framework that Dietitians Australia hopes will be the first significant step toward elevating the nation’s health.

“A National Nutrition Policy must consider learnings from the Tobacco Strategy to reduce diet-related illnesses while increasing access to affordable nutritious food and encouraging greater activity levels.”

ENDS

Robert Hunt is available for interview

1 Health system spending attributable to risk factors

Risk factor

Cost (millions)

Overweight (including obesity)

4268

High blood plasma glucose

3187

alcohol use

2108

impaired kidney function

1947

High blood pressure

1693

Dietary risks

1180

Low bone mineral density

1153

High cholesterol

413

Iron deficiency

277

16226

Media enquiries

For further information contact Jael Napper | 0410 967 509 | jael@publicist.net.au

Note to editors: Dietitians Australia is the leading voice of nutrition in Australia, representing dietitians nationally and advocating for healthier communities. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia.