(by Clare Mullen, 10/11/22)
I’m really enjoying Magda Szubanski’s ABC series – Australia’s Big Health Check. She’s looking at how easy – or not – it is to be healthy in Australia.
She highlights that poor nutrition and obesity are taking over from tobacco and smoking as the leading cause of ill health and death in Australia. One of the doctors on the show comments that when it comes to our health
genes are what load the gun, but then it’s our lifestyle that pulls the trigger… the important thing here is, that you can do something about this…
What Magda goes on to show, is how determined we have to be in order to do what we can to avoid harmful foods when we’re out shopping! Dr Sandro Demaio, Chief Executive of VicHealth comments that
With the lack of natural light and no clocks, supermarkets are more like casinos than traditional markets
And shares that the prime “real estate” of the ends of aisles are sold to food companies by the supermarkets. As one of the community members in the show says
When you’re going in for a quick shop, it’s hard not to buy that end of aisle stuff…
And of course, that “end of aisle stuff” is often the low nutrition, high calorie, high sugar option.
But as Magda shows in the program – there are people fighting back. And we think WA health consumers, carers and community members can be involved in that work too.
Come along to our events this month and be part of the discussion – share your thoughts on how we can all play a part in a healthier WA!
- In person morning tea – Friday 18 November – Mount Lawley – 9.30am – 11.30am
- Register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/456559691327
- Online sundowner discussion – Wednesday 23 November – via Zoom – 4.30pm – 6pm
- Register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/459894937137
