New data shows one third of WA adults eat junk food four or more times a week

07/05/2024

Media contact: Jane Simpson, 0438 682 548, jane.simpson@cancerwa.asn.au

Cancer Council WA has relaunched the LiveLighter Menu App campaign, in a bid to motivate people to reduce the amount of junk food they eat, following new research showing around a third (32 per cent) of West Aussies are eating savoury junk food four or more times a week.

Cancer Council WA Food and Movement Programs Manager, Ainslie Sartori, said the campaign encourages people to buy and eat less junk food, while providing practical resources to help people cook more at home.

“The rise of meal delivery apps and services has made unhealthy food and drink more available, more accessible and more heavily promoted than ever before,” Ms Sartori said. “Regularly eating junk food can lead to weight gain and excess body fat which increases the risk of 13 types of cancer.”

Ms Sartori said research indicates that health is a key factor motivating West Aussies to cut down on junk food.

“This research also found that 70 per cent of people say they would find it easier to eat a healthier diet if they knew more ways of preparing healthy food,” she said.

“The Menu App campaign aims to empower West Aussies to make quick and nutritious meals at home rather than ordering takeaway. We’re here to support the community with lots of easy recipe ideas and tips available on the LiveLighter website www.livelighter.com.au.”

This wave will run across TV, catch-up TV, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram until 6 July 2024.

View the campaign.

Background

• LiveLighter is funded by the WA Department of Health and delivered by Cancer Council WA.
• More information is available via the website www.livelighter.com.au about how to make small lifestyle changes to improve health.

To the editor: No “headless bodies” please

Having overweight or obesity comes with a lot of health issues. Some of these are related to the stigma that is attached to living in a larger body. We urge you to use images that are respectful, inclusive and non-stigmatising when reporting on issues related to body weight. For example, show people in larger bodies participating in everyday activities that are not related to weight gain, and use images that include their faces. We are happy to provide you with suitable images if required. Thank you for helping to set a higher standard for reporting on weight issues.

Note: Not everyone living in a larger body is unhealthy, and not everyone living in a smaller body is healthy. Eating well and being physically active are behaviours that will reduce cancer risk, regardless of a person’s weight