Peak Aussie medical organization calls for sugar tax on beverages to counter obesity

CANBERRA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Australia's peak medical body has renewed calls for a tax on sugary beverages to counter obesity.

In a position paper released on Sunday, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) proposed sweeping changes that it said would decrease obesity, including banning advertising for junk food for children.

"Improving the nutrition and eating habits of Australians must become a priority for all levels of government," AMA President Michael Gannon said in a media release on Sunday.

"The AMA is alarmed by the continued, targeted marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children."

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that 60 percent of Australian adults were either overweight or obese in 2012.

Gannon previously called for a 20 percent tax on beverages with added sugar in September, a proposal that was rejected by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

In addition to implementing the tax and banning advertising, the AMA also called for increased nutrition education for new and expecting parents.

It said that as a start, healthy eating practices should be promoted in public institutions such as schools, hospitals and aged care homes.

"Hospitals and other health facilities must provide healthy food options for residents, visitors, and employees," Gannon said.

"Vending machines containing sugary drinks and unhealthy food options should be removed from all health care settings, and replaced with machines offering only healthy options."

"Water should be the default beverage option, including at fast food restaurants in combination meals where soft drinks are typically provided as the beverage." Enditem