Anti-obesity push

A CASEY councillor is pushing to have the country’s rising obesity problem tackled from a young age.
Councillor Geoff Ablett moved at motion at Tuesday night’s council meeting which would see the council write to all levels of government to discuss the benefits of making health and physical education programs, both practical and theoretical, compulsory in schools on a daily basis.
The motion got unanimous support from other councillors.
Cr Ablett said he believed children and teenagers should be taking part in some form of physical activity or learning about health on a daily basis.
It has been reported that one in four Australian adults and one in 12 children are obese.
Cr Ablett said by educating students more about health and fitness early in life will help them as they grow into teenagers and adults.
“Half the children in Australia are deemed to be obese and education is the key answer,” he said.
“Education is the key to everything.
“We are an obese nation and it starts in schools.
“There is a stack of evidence that shows if students have regular exercise their fitness levels and health is much better.”
The motion also called on a summit of all relevant government representatives and ministers to discuss with City of Casey Recreational Policy makers on the prospect of formulating such a policy for daily compulsory health and physical education programs in all Australian schools.
Cr Ablett said he hoped state and federal leaders saw this as an opportunity to be a turning point.
“Sport used to be compulsory in schools, by physical education seems to have slipped down the list,” he said.
“It needs to become part of our culture from a young age.
“It’s OK for councils to provide parks and recreational facilities for people to use, but people need to be educated to want to use them and get active.
“We need to address this growing issue.”
The News asked Facebook followers what they thought of the idea and got a mixed response.
Kylie Lovett said she believed funding was needed to buy more sports equipment, provide schools with fruit every day and fund a breakfast club.
“That would be more beneficial,” she said.
“How many schools actually have sports equipment.”
Violeta Atanasovska said she would much rather her kids get education at school.
Amanda Webber agreed.
“How about teaching them to spell correctly,” she said.
“I find they do not get pulled up on incorrect spelling now.”
Belinda Burford said more focus should be on the parents.
“How about educating parents about what to put in children’s lunch boxes?” she said.
“Snack pack fairy floss, sulphite filled dried fruit bars, packets of cream filled biscuits, in place of sandwiches, are not going to help children stay fit and healthy.”