MEDIA RELEASE – July 24, 2018
National obesity inquiry highlights local success story
The national spotlight will shine on south west Victoria in the fight against obesity, with the head of the Southern Grampians Glenelg Primary Care Partnership to speak at an Australian Government senate inquiry committee hearing on August 7.
SGGPCP Executive Officer, Janette Lowe, will share evidence and local outcomes from the Southern Grampians-based GenR8 Change initiative and Portland-based SEA Change initiative, as part of a national inquiry into the obesity epidemic.
“For the past three and a half years, local grass roots community members and agencies have been working together to make changes to the food and activity environments and systems so that the healthy choice is the easier choice, especially for children, and this is an opportunity to share our exciting progress,” said Ms Lowe.
The SGGPCP report was one of 120+ submissions into the national inquiry, including those from community groups, food and beverage companies, academics and individuals. Ms Lowe said the invitation to give evidence and answer questions during a 45-minute timeslot at the public hearing, was a unique opportunity.
“We want governments to invest in local community building and development with a focus on healthy eating and active living, and believe the key to success is mobilising local communities to take action on the parts of the obesity system it has influence and control over,” said Ms Lowe.
“We were also one of the first communities to trial optional weighing, measuring and surveying local school children. This community population level data, has been so powerful and invaluable in understanding the problem and monitoring our exciting results. It’s so rare to have accurate and up-to-date data to inform our community’s work and progress, and we are delighted this approach has struck a chord with the national government.”
For more information about the SGGPCP, and further initiatives to create strong, resilient and thriving communities, please visit www.sggpcp.com, the GenR8 Change Facebook page facebook.com/GenR8Change or the Portland SEA Change Facebook page facebook.com/PortlandSEAChange
A copy of the partnership’s submission into the obesity epidemic can also be viewed online at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Obesity_epidemic_in_Australia/Obesity/Submissions