Poor nutrition threatening Australia’s future generations

Poor nutrition and lifestyle choices in the early years have long term effects on a child's health.
Experts are warning that children born today are at higher risk of a range of health problems not faced by previous generations.
“We know that during pregnancy and throughout infancy, there are critical times when a foetus and baby are particularly susceptible to the influence of nutrition – both good and poor nutritional intake,” said Early Life Nutrition Coalition chairperson Professor Peter Davies, Director of the Children’s Nutrition Research Centre at the University of Queensland.
The coalition warns that poor nutrition and lifestyle in the first 1,000 days of a child's life can influence its propensity for developing a range of ailments from obesity to cardiovascular disease in later life.
“For many of these diseases, it’s not genes, but environmental factors and nutritional intake in the earliest stages of life that are most influential,” Davies said.
Worse still, Davies warns that these health and lifestyle choices may be affecting your child's life-expectancy.
“Too often, attention to long-term health starts too late in life when it may be too late to make a significant impact. We now know that setting the foundation for good health starts well before a child is born and that in most cases it begins before they are even conceived,” Professor Davies added.
Obesity is a huge problem in Australia. Roughly 65% of Australian adults and 25% of Aussie children are either obese or overweight.
If you're hoping to get your weight under control, find out how you can use your health insurance to find discounts on gym memberships and other weight management programs.
Speak to a health insurance advisor
What you'll get:
- 100% free expert advice
- Pay the same as going direct
- Instant advice if you call 1300 594 882

Latest health headlines
- Can getting health insurance before July save you money on tax?
- Is $1 billion enough to reform Australia’s healthcare system? Expert analysis
- Coughing up their coverage: 2.9 million Aussies won’t renew their health insurance in 2022
- Age of dependents raised to 31: Has your health fund changed?
- How much is your health insurer putting up prices this week?
Picture: Shutterstock