Fat planet

While malnutrition remains an important issue in some countries, over a billion people around the world are now obese, with all the health problems this implies.

Biking for biscuits

British scientists say food labelling that includes the amount of physical activity required to burn off the calories within would be easier to understand than existing labelling and may be a more effective way to help consumers avoid unhealthy choices.

Tackling childhood obesity

Overweight children tend to become overweight adults, with all the health consequences that can entail. Family based programmes to keep children healthy are therefore required to fight the obesity epidemic threatening Australian’s health.

Obesity remains a risk for COVID-19

The risk of more severe symptoms from COVID-19 and the likelihood of death is higher in people who are obese, regardless of their age, according to a study to be published in the European Journal of Endocrinology.

Obesity is the new normal but it’s still a health risk

More people are now overweight than ever, but this doesn’t alter the fact that obesity increases a range of serious health risks, as well as affecting people’s quality of life.

A new way to measure obesity? The metabolome

An approach based around analysing the ‘metabolome’ – chemicals in the blood, including fatty acids, amino acids, sugars and vitamins – would be more useful in identifying those at risk of obesity-related disease than the Body Mass Index (BMI) currently used to measure obesity, according to UK and US scientists.

Being overweight in your 20s takes years off your life

Young adults classified as obese in Australia can expect to lose up to 10 years in life expectancy, according to a major new study.

Weight loss surgery seems to work

Obesity affects more than a quarter of Australian adults and has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of preventable deaths but a 20-year study by Monash University researchers shows that lap-band surgery helps obese people lose weight permanently.

Health star ratings: What’s on the labels of Australian drinks?

The Health Star Rating System is a useful tool to communicate health and nutrition messages to consumers but given the large part played by sugar laden drinks to Australia’s swelling waistlines, a new study looks at how well the HSR System is used on beverages.

Collective action required to save Aussie kids from obesity

Curbing obesity in Australia’s children is achievable and can be realised through a combination of smart governance, community initiatives, the support of individual efforts, and clinical leadership.

ACU leads the fight against sugary drinks

The Australian Catholic University has become the first Australian university to remove sugary drinks from all its vending machines and hopes the move will encourage other universities, schools and workplaces to follow suit.

It’s time for hidden sugars to be unmasked

Improved added sugar labelling across all packaged foods would help guide Australians to healthier food choices, according to The George Institute for Global Health.