6 December 2006
A new study by Monash University will examine the impact of economic incentives to change the behaviour of those at risk of obesity.
Described by an international taskforce as the most important public health problem of our time, obesity costs Australia a whopping $3.8 billion a year, according to a new study by Diabetes Australia. The study found that 3.24 million Australians are obese and that the problem -- and its associated cost -- is growing.
Monash is tackling this crisis with its Australian Research Council funded three-year study on the economics of obesity.
Headed by Associate Professor Bruce Hollingsworth from the Monash Centre for Health Economics, the research team will identify those at risk of obesity and seek ways to change their behaviour.
"We will look at people's behaviour and lifestyle preferences and we will see what the price would be of behavioural change -- how can people's economic incentives be changed; for example, what would be the effects of taxes or subsidies on different groups?" Associate Professor Hollingsworth says.
Epidemiologists have established that low-income earners are more likely to eat high-fat fast foods so face a higher risk of becoming obese, he says. One way to reduce the risk would be to reduce their reliance on takeaway food.
"But as economists we would argue that a tax on fast food would be a regressive tax because it affects the people who can least afford it and if they continue to eat fast food, they just pay more tax," he says. "An alternative might be to subsidise exercise programs or supply fresh vegetables and fruit in schools. The healthy eating program Jamie Oliver set up in British schools was very successful because it changed students' behaviour and eating habits."
The findings are expected to inform future government spending and ensure funding is directed to help those most in need.
The Monash research team includes Associate Professor Mark Harris, Professor Pushkar Maitra and Dr Katharina Hauck.
For further information contact Media and Communications on 9905 2085 or Bruce Hollingsworth on 9905 0760.
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