’Burb tips scales

By Shaun Inguanzo
DEBATE has exploded after a recent obesity report showed Springvale residents were punishing the scales – living in one of Melbourne’s most overweight suburbs.
Researchers at Melbourne University have linked the high obesity rate to low income, and have blamed fast food and takeaway outlets for encouraging the unhealthy position.
Melbourne University released the findings of the study just prior to Christmas, showing a correlation between obesity and income with people from the sample of 4913 on low incomes being an average of three kilograms overweight, and people on higher incomes being within the healthy weight range.
Melbourne University associate professor Anne Kavanagh said takeaway and fast food outlets were a likely cause of obesity.
“Early findings from this study have shown a greater number of takeaway food outlets in low (income) areas and another Melbourne study has shown that people in low socioeconomic areas have 2.5 times the exposure to fast food outlets,” she said.
But the Salvation Army and McDonald’s Australia have this week argued that fast food and low incomes are not the sole contributors to the obesity rate.
Salvation Army community liaison officer Frances Ward said while she didn’t dismiss the notion of fast food contributing to Springvale’s obesity rate, people within the low socioeconomic category could not always afford fast food, nor a fitness lifestyle.
“The people we work with, their needs are so much more immediate than going to the gymnasium,” she said.
“It is not a consideration, but it is a priority finding food to survive, finding a home, getting out of a domestic violence situation.
“It is not always at the top of their minds to keep a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.”
Ms Ward said the Salvation Army catered for the poorest residents and said the welfare group attempted to educate clients on nutrition, how to buy their own products cheaply, and to cook their own meals.
A McDonald’s Australia spokesperson, whose company has five outlets throughout Greater Dandenong, said the company had not had the opportunity to read the entire report, but said the company had been proactive over the past three years in reducing obesity.
“Over the past two years former McDonald’s CEO Guy Russo attended obesity summits, participated in forums about obesity and met with key organisations like diabetes Australia and the Obesity Taskforce to listen and learn,” she said.
Among a growing list of changes to its food preparation and menu, the spokesperson said McDonald’s had changed its cooking oil and introduced low-fat salads and sandwiches.
She also said the fast food giant had reduced advertising during children’s television programming, and was considering a new, healthier McHappy Meal.
“In 2006 McDonald’s plans to introduce alternative Happy Meal choices that both appeal to children and pass the criteria of being a good nutritional choice,” she said.
“McDonald’s has enlisted the help of a panel of experts comprising school teachers, children’s caterers, packaging designers and mums to generate food ideas and make sure we get this right.
“McDonald’s is looking at options including pasta, rice, noodles, fresh fruit, reduced fat dairy, vegetables and lean meats.”
The Melbourne University report, published in the International Journal of Obesity, placed Springvale and Dandenong within the top tier of high obesity rates throughout Melbourne.