Nutrition Experts Fight Back, Australia

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 28 Aug 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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Australia's leading nutrition organisation, the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), is launching a major campaign to tackle Australia's obesity and its related diseases, which costs the nation 21 billion dollars1 or one thousand dollars per person per year.

The latest statistics show that obesity has been skyrocketing with 7.4 million adults or 54% of the adult population - and around 25% of Australian kids now classified as overweight or obese.

Obesity can also lead to debilitating diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, some cancers, osteoporosis and fractures, high blood pressure, stroke, gastrointestinal problems, dental health and kidney disease.

'We could stop this terrible tragedy if people get the right help,' says DAA Executive Director and Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), Ms Claire Hewat.

The DAA's national campaign telling Australians that they can take control of their health by seeing an APD for individual advice and support to eat healthier and feel better launches today with a Community Service Announcement.

'Too many people waste time and money by following fads. APDs are university qualified in food, nutrition and health and just like you go to the dentist if you have a sore tooth. it makes sense to see an APD if you want to lose weight or manage other diet-related problems.' says Claire Hewat.

Sydney resident, Cathy Bacot lost 40 kilograms after years of unsuccessfully following fads and dieting gimmicks.

"It's the one on one individualised advice that has really helped, rather than a one size fits all, or a one way lecture. I get something out of every session. Joanne, my APD, just seems to know what I need and how to recharge me," says Ms Bacot who has lost enough weight to consider starting a family.

The CSA was produced by MWC Media and builds on the APD Advertising Print Campaign developed by Sudler and Hennessey. Additional financial support was provided by Kellogg's. Kellogg's is a DAA Corporate Partner.

The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is the professional body representing dietitians nationally. Dietitians are experts in nutrition and a public guarantee of this expertise is provided through the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) program - a national system for recognition of professionals who have the qualifications and expertise to provide expert nutrition and dietary advice.

1 Australian Social Trends 2007. Article: Overweight and obesity. Australian Bureau of Statistics.

http://www.daa.asn.au