With Australia’s obesity epidemic now amongst the worst in the world and not far behind the US, there is no room for complacency in managing this disease. Complications from obesity are on the rise, in particular type 2 diabetes.

The number of Australians with preventable type 2 diabetes is expected to double in the next decade. Type 2 diabetes is now being seen in much younger people.

There is no simple solution to this complex problem, which is influenced by strong commercial forces. At the micro level it is best dealt with by a family approach. If one individual in the family is affected that person can only be helped if the whole family, including the extended family, participates.

To give some examples: there is no point in expecting our children to use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator if other family members don’t do likewise. Such automated devices should only be used by disabled people.

TV is the enemy of physical activity - the less adults watch, the less children in that family are likely to watch. If adults say to their children it is too hot or too cold to go outside for activities, these excuses will soon be shared by everyone in that household.

More family outings such as picnics and visits to the park that involve exertion to be enjoyed by all, are good for everyone’s weight maintenance. Having regular family meals sitting at a table with the TV off is likely to prevent the overconsumption of high fat TV snacks. We all need to drink more water and less high sugar drinks such as orange juice, coke, beer and cordial.

TV viewing is associated with the consumption of foods that are advertised. In Sweden this resulted in the banning of all TV food advertising aimed at children. Why don’t we follow suit? After all we eventually banned smoking advertising and now we have one of the lowest smoking rates in the world.