Health groups are calling for mandatory kilojoule labelling on fast foods as statistics reveal more than half of Wyndham residents are overweight or obese.
Latest Health Department statistics reveal that 52.5 per cent of Wyndham residents are considered to be overweight.
Across the western suburbs, 51.7 per cent of people are overweight or obese, while the state average is 48.6 per cent.
In a bid to reduce the number of overweight Victorians, the Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) and the Greens are calling for the implementation of mandatory kilojoule labelling on menu boards at all fast food outlets.
Some fast food outlets currently have kilojoule labels, but the OPC wants the Liberal and Labor parties to make an election promise about mandatory labelling.
OPC executive manager Jane Martin said Victoria was lagging behind other states and territories when it came to kilojoule labelling. She said the information would help consumers make informed, healthier choices.
“We know that when clear information about the energy content of food is provided, along with education about energy requirements, people are encouraged to make purchases that are overall lower in energy,” she said.
Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the party would implement mandatory labelling if it won the state election in November.
Ms Hartland said there was a direct link between a high intake of unhealthy, energy-dense foods and obesity and type 2 diabetes.
In Wyndham, 4.3 per cent of people have type 2 diabetes.
“Body weight and diet are significant risk factors for diabetes,” Ms Hartland said. “Better kilojoule labelling is one important strategy for addressing this growing health problem
“By knowing how many kilojoules are in meals, we can choose healthier options for ourselves and our families.”
Ms Hartland said studies had shown energy content labelling on menus in other states encouraged customers to make healthier choices.
