LEAN FOR THE RICH AND
FAT FOR THE POOR.
Lauren Morgan Masters of Human Nutrition Student.
Alarming health statistics in country Victoria have indicated that our children are getting fatter. More than 20% of Australian children are overweight or obese and statistics are on the rise. The prevalence of obesity has sky rocketed the past decade with statistics doubling, almost tripling percentage rates from previous years. Recent attention has focused on the role the environment has on the perpetuating weight gain. Children’s eating behaviours are largely influenced by parents and carers, peers and media, but who can be held responsible for this disturbing epidemic? Current and previous research dating back to the 1970’s has clearly indicated that low socio- economic status and low income have a profound effect on the food availability and choices for families.

In primary school children across Australia, the prevalence of obesity continues to increase progressively, with the steepest escalations occurring in children of low socio-economic circumstances. The Geelong and Surf Coast community know all too well about budgets and financial hardships with what some people refer to as the ‘current recession.’ With recent job cuts, salary reductions and food price increases, Geelong families are finding it incredibly hard to keep their heads above water. The current economic downturn has forced a vast majority of Geelong families under the category of socio-economic disadvantage.

It is not lack of education or concern our parents have for their children’s well being, it is the sheer helplessness against the forever rising expenses on healthy foods. There is a deprived sense of community strength in the Geelong region, with a severe gap existing between the wealthy and the underprivileged. As a developed country, Australian people deserve health equality. The relationship between socio-economic status and obesity has been long recognized but what are we as a community going to do to protect today’s youth from a fatty-filled future?