The aim of this Plan is to make eating well and being active a higher priority for all families. The website provides additional information to the fridge magnet and other tips.

Below are several quotes from experts. Feel free to use these quotes in your stories or if you want to interview one of these experts, contact the AusSMC on (08) 8207 7415 or email us.

Associate Professor Manny Noakes is a dietician and research scientist. She is a co-author of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet books and leader of the research around A Wellbeing Plan for Aussie Kids.

“Overweight and obesity among Australian children is increasing at an alarming rate. As parents we can play a vital part in turning that around by encouraging our kids to eat healthy foods and get regular exercise. It is up to us to set a good example and to ensure that we set reasonable limits on certain foods and encourage our kids to keep active.”

“There is no time to lose. The wellbeing of Australian children is everyone’s responsibility. Healthy children are vital to the wellbeing of Australia. CSIRO’s Wellbeing Plan for Aussie Kids fridge magnet and website is just the beginning. It aims to support parents who want to make a difference in their children’s lives. It’s amazing how small steps can lead to giant leaps. Australia is such a lucky country… let’s make it a healthy one too.”

Dr Beverly Mühlhäusler, Peter Doherty Postdoctoral Fellow, Early Origins of Adult Health Group, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia

“There is a growing body of research which shows that the pathway to child obesity begins very early in life, and is often well-established by the time that children are at school. There is no question that the key to providing our kids with a healthy start to life is helping them to develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise right from the word go. It is also very clear that parents who follow a healthy lifestyle are much more likely to encourage these same attitudes in their children, a fact is reflected in new CSIRO guidelines, which provide practical advice not just for kids but for the whole family.”

Dr Rosemary Stanton OAM, Nutritionist and Author

“I am relieved the CSIRO’s Wellbeing Plan for Aussie Kids is tackling childhood obesity by taking a healthy eating and exercise approach rather than blaming the victim.

Children are victims of our obesogenic society. We need government intervention in many areas, including rules to prevent companies targeting children with advertising. We also need to give individual families some helpful hints for healthier habits within the home. The 10 points from CSIRO are an excellent start.”

Elizabeth Handsley, Associate Professor of Law, Flinders University of South Australia and Vice-President Young Media Australia

“Parents are in the best position to support their children in leading healthy lifestyles, and anything we can do to support parents in their job is very useful and welcome. It is particularly encouraging that the CSIRO is pitching its message at general health concerns because everybody should lead a healthy lifestyle, not just people with existing health problems.

However I wonder if even more detailed information and guidelines are needed. Most parents, for example, would know that low-fat dairy foods are a good thing, but exactly what does that mean? How can they tell which are low fat and which are only claiming to be? And since we know that food companies often use added sweeteners to replace the fat they take out, how can we help parents to avoid opting for sugary alternatives? Perhaps it is time to let parents know that very little of what they find on the supermarket shelves is likely to be conducive to healthy eating.

Hopefully the next step will be to provide such details, and perhaps also some meal plans.”