Hypothetical government inquiry: scope and procedures

Hypothetical Government Inquiry

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Introduction to National Heart Foundation of Australia

Since 1950, the Australian Heart Foundation has been at the forefront for promoting various obesity related issues and heart disease. Where, they have a number of different objectives working in conjunction with one another, to address the long-term issues surrounding heart disease. Some of the most notable would include: providing support / information about heart disease, improving care, building healthy communities, promoting awareness and establishing various partnerships. At the same time, they are promoting different issues of heart disease and how it can be prevented, by raising funds as well as encouraging various activities that can support a healthy lifestyle. Given the fact that obesity is a major contributor to various cardiovascular diseases, means that this is a major focus of this nonprofit organization. To achieve these different objectives, the Australian Heart foundation will engage in a number of activities to include: education, helping to ensure that communities have adequate physical activities / events, working with different government ministries to support a change in lifestyle and to improve the quality of care. Together, these different elements allow this organization to effectively reach out, to variety of people who could be affected by this condition throughout the commonwealth. (Heart Foundation 2010)

Changing Food Labeling Regulations

This submission addresses the issue of: increasing the amounts of information that are being disclosed, to consumers at various fast food restaurants. The idea is that by providing them with more information about calories and nutrition, they can be able to make more informed decisions about their health. (Review of Food and Labeling Law 2010) The issue of obesity is continuing to remain a formidable challenge for many Australians. Simply put, obesity is when a person has a body mass index (a height to weight ratio) of 30. (Overweight and Obesity in Australia 2007) Where, the way these people are living their lives is contributing to the underlying situation. This is because, their overall busy schedules, poor diet and sedentary lifestyles are making the problem worse, as the number of obese adults and children is continuing to increase. To address these challenges, many governments have begun to consider forcing fast food restaurants, to increase the amount of information they are disclosing to consumers (about their products). As the high amounts of: fat and low nutrients; will give the body an uneven balance of nutrition. Over the course of time, the overall diet and lack of exercise are causing the number of obesity cases that are being reported to skyrocket. (What Causes Overweight and Obesity 2010)

Key Developments

The number of rising obesity cases first began to appear very gradually during the early 1980's. Then, as time went by this number would consistently increase. At which point, the overall number of obesity cases began to rise sharply. A good example of this can be seen with the rapid rise in the number of obese adults between 1980 and 2000, with this amount increasing from 9.4% of the population to high as 16.9%. (Overweight and Obesity in Australia 2007) Since this time, the number of overweight adults has increased to 32.6% of the total population. When you compare the number of obese and overweight adults, it is clear that this issue affects 49.5% of the population. (A Growing Problem 2003) Over the years, there have been a number of different policy proposals the most notable include: increasing the various disclosures from fast food restaurants. With the National Heart Foundation of Australia encouraging restaurants to voluntarily engage in such practices, through the Tick Program that has been place over the last 20 years. This strategy has proven to be successful at addressing the obesity rates to a certain extent. As a UK-based study found that 70,000 lives could be saved per year, by providing effective nutritional fast food guidance to consumers. (Dique 2008) As a result, various states such as Victoria have begun to consider creating regulations that will increase the overall amounts of nutrition information to disclose to consumers.

The Delayed Reaction

The underlying amounts of obesity cases are continuing to affect every segment of the population. As the availability of foods with: large amounts of fat and sugar can be found in a number of locations, within any single community. Then, when you combine this with the increased amounts of marketing efforts from different organizations, it is clear, that these companies are able to have a profound impact upon the individual. Where, the repeated exposure to various advertisements and the availability of these restaurants, are causing more people to want to eat at these establishment. When you compare this with the underlying amounts of obesity rates in children, it is obvious that these efforts are successful for various restaurants. As the total amount of overweight children is, 15.3% of the 2 to 17-year-old age demographic. While at the same time, the number of obese children is 4.6% of this group. This accounts for 19.9% of the children throughout the commonwealth. (Overweight and Obesity in Australia 2007) This is significant, because it shows how children will mirror the diet and lifestyle of their parents. The fact that the number of overweight and obesity cases is following a similar trend in adults, underscores how the lack of nutritional standards at fast food restaurants, is only continuing to make the situation worse. (Parents Blamed for Childhood Obesity 2009) As a result, some kind of immediate action must be taken, to provide consumers with more information, about the underlying levels of nutrition at all fast food restaurants. This would help to give everyone all the facts, about the various products that they are consuming. At which point, they can make an informed decision about their diet, based upon the information that is being provided.

Existing Regulations to Increase Disclosure

The issue of obesity is similar to cancer that will eat away at the productivity of society itself. In the United States, where rates of obesity are higher, this is beginning to have an impact upon the economic and national security of the country. As the increasing number of overweight / obese individuals, causes the economy to experience less productivity and it increases health care costs. At the same time, this can affect the nation's ability to defend itself against various external threats. (Gaimbastaini 2010) A good example of this can be seen with the amount people who are unfit for military service, because they are overweight. Where, one out of every four individuals cannot meet the basic weight requirements, to enlist in the United States armed forces. This is troubling, because it highlights how the obesity issue is a problem that will have negative consequences for the U.S. (Gaimbastaini 2010) As it is affecting productivity and their ability to assemble / deploy a capable military force. In the case of Australia, this should serve as a cautionary tale, about what possible problems could occur because of the obesity epidemic. As a result, one could effectively argue that this is a threat to the economy and national security of Australia. Where, this may have similar effects that are being seen in other countries. The proposal that is being addressed has been shown to be effective in countries such as the U.S. As increased amounts of labeling by fast food restaurants will automatically cause them, to diversify their menu away from their traditional format. Once this takes place, it can mean that consumers will make healthy choices, because they have more information and the restaurant offers a variety of foods. A good example of this can be seen with McDonalds and their healthy menu that they began to aggressively market over the last few years. Where, the restaurant began to offer low calorie foods that are considered to be nutritious. This would help to halt the nearly 35-year increase in the obesity rate that was being seen in the United States. As the various state laws requiring increased disclosure, would cause fast food chains to implement such a policies throughout the entire country. (McDonald's French Fries Just Got Fatter 2008) (Obesity Epidemic Maybe Flattening Out 2010) This is significant, because it shows that if such policies were implemented in Australia, it could help to mitigate the sharp increase in obesity cases. Where, the increased amounts of disclosure will give consumers more choices and it would help fast food restaurants to diversify their menus. As one could argue that this approach is: superior to other proposals such as: banning this type of food at various establishments and taxing it.