AMA wants tax on junk foods

William Atkins
Wednesday, 07 May 2008 23:13

Science - Health

The Australian Medical Association issued a big statement in May 2008. The AMA suggests that in order to combat obesity in the country additional taxes on unhealthy foods and subsidies on healthy foods are needed. What do you think?


The Australian Medical Association (AMA) issued a “Position Statement on Obesity” on May 4, 2008, which calls for applying taxes on such foods that it considers unhealthy, such as “junk food” and sugary soft drinks.

The statement by the AMA is part of a program to address obesity in Australia. A National Obesity Strategy, by the National Preventative Health Taskforce, has recently been initiated to make obesity a “National Health Priority Area.”

Other areas of interest for the Taskforce are the misuse of alcohol and use of tobacco.

According to the Statement, additional taxes on unhealthy foods, such as those with high sugar or fat content, would help to reduce the incidences of obesity in Australia, especially among its children.

The Statement says significantly higher taxes should apply to products known to significantly contribute to obesity, especially in children.

In addition, foods known to be healthy, such as fruit and vegetables, should be subsidized by government to ensure that their prices remain low (when compared to unhealthy foods) and remain  attractive to buy for all consumers.

AMA presient Rosanna Capolingue stated that such actions are necessary because obesity is a problem for Australia and every person in Australia needs to take responsible action to curb the increasing incidences of obesity.

She states that obesity causes Australia, as a whole, over A$20 billion each year.

In fact, according to the MedicalNewsToday.com article “Getting Obesity Under Control - Australian Medical Association Position Statement On Obesity”, the following facts are listed:

• “In 2004/05, more than half of Australian adults were overweight or obese. (35% overweight, 18% obese) The proportion of obese adults doubled in the 15 years from 1989/90 to 2004/05.”

• “There is a similar, particularly alarming, trend among children and adolescents. Almost a quarter of Australian children and adolescents are overweight, with approximately one in four of these being obese.”

• “Obesity may run in families, with research showing children of obese parents are more than twice as likely to be obese themselves. “

• “Obesity substantially contributes to preventable, non-communicable diseases, shortened life expectancy and impaired quality of life.”

• “Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, musculoskeletal disorders and impaired psychosocial functioning.”

• “Obesity is now challenging smoking as the major cause of preventable death in Australia. An estimated 9,500 deaths occur annually in Australia as a result of diseases and conditions attributable to excess weight.”

• “In 2005, the costs to Australian health care of diseases resulting from excess weight were estimated to be $1.2 billion. Factoring in lost productivity, obesity cost Australian society and governments $21 billion in 2005.”
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Please read the next page for additional information on the proposals brought forth by the AMA, especially with regards to advertising and children.