The COAG Health Council has committed to developing a national obesity strategy.

From now until 15 December 2019, you are invited to give your own or your organisation’s views on what a 10-year strategy to reduce overweight and obesity in Australia should focus on.

A range of social, environmental and economic factors contribute to obesity and impact a person’s ability to maintain a healthy weight. If the current trend continues, more than 18 million Australians will be overweight or obese by 2030.

Governments want to hear from you about what actions could be done to prevent obesity, particularly for communities where overweight and obesity are more common.

We encourage you to:

• tell your stakeholders, members and communities you work with about the consultation process
• complete the surveys – there is a long and short form survey to choose from. The long form survey provides the opportunity for organisations to submit comments against each of the proposed strategies and sub-strategies outlined in the consultation paper.
• feature the consultation process in your next newsletter or on your website
• spread the word about community forums in locations where events are being held. Please note that these forums are targeted for community and are designed to elicit local level community responses to consultation questions.

This is an opportunity to help shape a national strategy that focuses on what government will do and how government can work with communities, non-government organisations and industry to create environments that support a healthy weight and support and empower individuals and communities.

Resources are available on request, including a Communication Kit containing background information, key messages, example media releases, newsletter copy, social media tiles and web badges; and an Engagement Pack, should you want to hold your own consultation activity.

For more on how to get involved, go to the national obesity strategy consultation hub.

If you require any further information about the consultation process, or you would like to receive a copy of the Communication Kit or Engagement Pack, please contact engage@thesocialdeck.com