OBESITY PREVENTION AND LIFESTYLE PROGRAM

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:15): My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Can the minister advise the house how the Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle program is encouraging greater physical activity amongst school students?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts) (14:15): I thank the member for Florey for this important question. I also note that there was an interesting article in the press today about new National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines in relation to issues to do with obesity management, I can assure members that the program that we are funding in South Australia with state and commonwealth money—OPAL—is on the mark in terms of those guidelines, as I read them.

The newest theme for our OPAL program is encouraging South Australian school students to 'think feet first' and step, cycle or scoot to school. Every 12 months OPAL introduces a new healthy lifestyle message to the community to encourage children and their parents to live healthier lifestyles. Since the 1970s, the rate of active travel in Australia has declined significantly.

Less than 20 per cent of young people walk to school these days compared to almost 55 per cent in 1970. When asked, most children do want to walk, cycle or scoot to school. In the same period, cycling to school decreased from 7.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent and car travel increased from 14 per cent to 55 per cent.

An international study of six to nine year olds found that Australians had lower levels of walking and cycling and higher levels of car travel than children in Canada and Sweden, despite having a better climate for active travel. Children who walk, cycle or scoot to school are 30 per cent more likely to actively travel to other destinations in their neighbourhood as well. This is obviously not only good for their health but leads to a more vibrant and connected community.

Children who actively travel to school also have higher levels of physical activity and improved fitness compared to those who have sedentary forms of transport. In relation to the perceived risks, data indicates that an Australian child is nearly twice as likely to be killed as a car passenger than as a pedestrian and more than four times as likely to be killed as a car passenger than as a cyclist.

Children should be active every day for at least 60 minutes. Walking, scooting or cycling to school increases physical, mental and social health, helps maintain healthy weight and establishes healthy habits for a lifetime. Active travel to school also gives parents a chance to spend more quality time with their children and to get some exercise themselves.

I would encourage all members, through their community newsletters and other fora, to promote this message in their communities and help get more families choosing active travel in their neighbourhoods. If members would like information to support them doing that, I would be happy to have my office provide it to them.