A recent report by Access Economics for Diabetes Australia has put the annual cost of the ‘obesity epidemic’ in Australia at $58 billion.

It is difficult to put this kind of cost into perspective, and includes what Diabetes Australia have identified as the figure of $8.3 billion in financial costs and $49.9 billion in the value of lost wellbeing.

That such a cost could reach $58 billion per annum is staggering. It is also interesting that a further research report has again highlighted the benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables.

A recent study in Western Australia by Edith Gowan University nutritionists that found that people who eat two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables a day could cut their risk of developing a range of cancers, heart and blood vessel disease, metabolism syndromes and bone disease.

The recent announcement by Premier Anna Bligh of a range of cash rewards for healthy initiatives is a very positive factor in both recognising the obesity issue and promoting responses from within the community.

Prizes of up to $1 million for a Queensland town, $500,000 for schools and $100,000 for workplaces, make this a very worthwhile initiative for which the Government is to be complimented.

Nationally however, with a cost of $58 billion per annum, there is a need for greater focus on the issues of exercise and healthy eating, including the consumption or two fruits and five vegetables a day.

The State and Federal governments have both been supporters of the 'Go for 2&5' serves of fresh fruit and vegetables program.

This program continues to be part of an ongoing promotion for healthy eating, with the consumption of increased volumes of fresh fruit and vegetables yielding benefits in many areas including health, horticulture and the community.