Thousands of children in hundreds of Australian towns and cities will soon be involved in a major national nutrition and physical activity survey, the Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said today.
?Families across Australia will be selected by random-digit dialling and contacted by phone to seek the participation of 4,000 children aged between two and 16 years,? Mr Pyne said.
?Interviews in each child?s home will measure the child?s height, weight and waist circumference, and record food intake for a 24-hour period. The amount of physical activity undertaken will also be measured in children aged five or older.
?The survey will show the proportion of children who meet current national guidelines for healthy eating and physical activity. It will provide up-to-date estimates of rates of overweight and obesity among Australian children.
?It will also highlight any parts of the population at particular risk from nutrient deficiency or excess. For example, it will show the proportion of children not getting enough calcium in their diets for adequate growth and development and who may therefore be at risk of osteoporosis in later life.
?As well, the survey will show the amount of soft drinks, fast food and take-away meals consumed by children,? Mr Pyne said.
?Participation in the survey will be voluntary,? he stressed. ?The Australian Government hopes that every Australian family approached will agree to participate in this important research.
?The data will be aggregated and the privacy of all individuals will be protected,? he said.
The $3 million survey has been funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Australian Food and Grocery Council.
To be completed in July, the survey is being managed by the CSIRO and the University of South Australia. First results are expected by the end of the year.
?This major survey will provide essential, up-to-date information that will help government formulate policy to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity,? Mr Pyne said.
?It underlines the Government?s absolute commitment to improve the health of all Australian children.?