Childhood Obesity Nutrition Policies

Question: Discuss about the Childhood Obesity for Nutrition Policies. Answer: Introduction: The childhood obesity is an increasing epidemic and is giving rise to many chronic diseases in children in Australia. For this, Australian government is forming strong policies that include dietary changes; health education, school nutrition policies, physical education and a framework addressing the ethical issues are the unpinning factors for consideration. There are key policies that help in child health education and in dealing with childhood obesity. According to Childhood obesity Legislation 2013 school nutrition policies are implementing healthy policies like availability of nutritious foods throughout the school (Bradshaw 2016). The screening of diabetes is also an important policy in which children are informed about diabetes and related risk. According to the existing laws for diabetes care, medications are given to the diabetic children. The state legislation are also providing insurances for the coverage and strengthening of diabetes insurance for children. The implementation of physical education policy approaches to include physical education in school setting and they evaluate over the policy. The resolutions are also being taken by the state legislatives to create awareness among the public by addressing policies on childhood obesity (Lamb et al. 2014). There is school health policy and education policy that puts emphasis on the childhood education addressing the childhood obesity problem and educating the parents and caregivers. School wellness policies help to strengthen wellness programs educating the children and their tutors about childhood obesity. The school lunch program serves students in educating them about ill effects of obesity and ethical issues like social stigmatization due to obesity, confidentiality and informed consent. National policies also introduce health and physical education classes, nutrition and healthy cooking classes. The above mentioned policies demonstrate advocacy and health equity among the children. They are intended to work against discrimination based on the body weight of the children. The policies ensure that there is no bias between the indigenous and non-indigenous population in Australia. They are aimed at protecting and prioritizing the children and ensure that culturally protected health services are provided to them. The Obesity Policy Coalition in Australia influences change in policy related to child health education on obesity and promotes equality among the target population. The Public Health Association of Australia undertakes the responsibility to address the childhood obesity according to the National Nutrition Policy that addresses the issue of early nutrition and its role in a childs later life (oecd.org 2016). The policies encompass the children living in remote and rural areas and make sure that they have access to health education opportunities and services to make heal thy choices. The Australian education system ensures fair and inclusive policies contributing to equitable education among children. The policies are made with a perspective to provide a positive environment for the diverse subgroups of children for behavior change with respect to lifestyle and food choices. The policy makers take into account the equity by delivering child health education policy among the low socio economic community children. The Australian child education system focuses on reduction of inequalities by introducing policies that eliminate inequality in child education (health.gov.au 2016). There are strategies that strengthen the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in providing child health education classes and training on childhood obesity. Therefore, these policies advocate child health education highlighting the issue of childhood obesity. References Bradshaw, J., 2016.The Well-being of Children in the UK. Policy Press. health.gov.au, 2016. Australia: The Healthiest Country BY 2020 [online] Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.nsf/Content/E233F8695823F16CCA2574DD00818E64/$File/obesity-jul09.pdf [Accessed 29 Dec. 2016]. Lamb, M.E., Sternberg, K.J., Hwang, C.P. and Broberg, A.G., 2014.Child care in context: Cross-cultural perspectives. Psychology Press. oecd.org, 2016. Education Policy Outlook: Australia [online] Available at: https://www.oecd.org/education/EDUCATION%20POLICY%20OUTLOOK%20AUSTRALIA_EN.pdf [Accessed 29 Dec. 2016].