Soft drinks lose sparkle
BARWON Health will phase out high-sugar soft drinks from its vending machines and cafeterias as it continues its fight against obesity and diabetes.
The progressive ban starting today will apply at Geelong hospital, the McKellar Centre, Alan David Lodge and five community health centres.
Barwon Health chief operating officer Robyn Hayles said the ban would attempt to drive down rates of diabetes and obesity.
“We’re very pleased to make the change to take a stand for better health in the Geelong community,” Ms Hayles said.
She said juices and sugarfree soft drinks would be sold in Barwon Health cafeterias and vending machines.
“More than three quarters of Australian children exceed the guidelines for daily sugar intake and the research shows that obesity is a major issue in our community,” she said.
The move follows advocacy from Deakin University childhood obesity researchers and a pilot program by Barwon Heads junior sporting clubs last year to make games lolly and fizzy drink-free.
Last year Western Victoria Primary Health Network medical adviser Jane Opie sup- ported calls for a sugar tax to ease rates of obesity among the region’s adult population.
The call followed a snapshot of the nation’s health showing western Victoria had the third highest proportion of adults with an unhealthy weight.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report said more than a third of adults in the region, which covers Geelong, were considered obese.
Dr Opie said the report was a wake-up call for the community, governments and health professionals.
“Government policy needs to change to support and enhance regional communities’ access to fresh food, sporting activities and public transport,” she said.
“I would support the introduction of a sugar tax to support such initiatives.”
Dr Opie said being overweight or obese could trigger the early onset of disease.
She encouraged adults to incorporate exercise and good nutrition into daily routine.
AIHW spokesman Michael Frost said 68.5 per cent of regional Australians had an unhealthy weight.
An adult needs to walk more than 3km to burn off the kilojoules in a 600ml soft drink.