Federal and state health ministers have backed a South Australian plan to tackle growing obesity rates in children under 5. The ministers, meeting in Melbourne, agreed to adopt a push by SA for a stronger national approach to preventing obesity in toddlers.

South Australian Health Minister John Hill announced earlier this month that hundreds of thousands of dollars would be spent on a new program that included guidelines for parents and childcare centres to help children aged two to five to get enough physical activity.

He also said junk food would be banned in public schools by the beginning of next year.

Adelaide Advertiser, p24

31/03/2007