Role of sleep in obesity prevention

8 November 2021

Last week the ASA and the Sleep Health Foundation provided feedback on Australia's Draft National Obesity Prevention Strategy 2022-2032. 

While there was some mention of sleep in relation to obesity in children and adolescents, it was largely absent from the draft strategy. The two complementary submissions highlighted the gaps, pointing out the importance of healthy sleep being considered alongside healthy eating and physical activity in the prevention and management of obesity across all age groups. An important point highlighted by both submissions was the first recommendation of the parliamentary inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in Australia: "The Committee recommends that the Australian Government prioritise sleep health as a national priority and recognise its importance to health and wellbeing alongside fitness and nutrition."

The ASA's submission addressed the focussed questions presented in the online survey, highlighting the many places where sleep was missing and the summarising some of the scientific evidence for its inclusion.

The Sleep Health Foundation submission provided detailed and exhaustive evidence backing up the need for sleep to be included in this important national blueprint to address the growing obesity epidemic.