Protecting the health of our future generations

What we know: Kids born from 2023 are predicted to have a lower life expectancy than their parents. Find out why and what action is needed to give our kids the best shot at a healthier future.

What to expect:

Data-driven InsightsExpert PerspectivesResourcesActionable TipsKey Trends

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A word from our Chief Health Officer (and two special guests!)

Watch Chief Health Officer and Chair of the Healthylife Advisory Board, Simone Austin, chat to two very special guests, Lucy and Oliver, to get insights into what kids think about health today.

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Kids aren’t meeting the recommended daily serves for any of the core food groups. Let’s flip the script on kids' current eating habits.

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1in 10

kids aged 2-14 met the serve recommendations for vegetables.

cheaper to purchase a healthy food shop than the average Australian household shop.

what the experts think

This data is concerning for the health of our children and families, as an unhealthy diet is a major contributor to the burden of disease. The trend needs to change, with healthier food available at home.

Simone Austin

Chief Health Officer and Chair of the Healthylife Advisory Board and Advanced Sports Dietitian

What actions can we take?

Discover the healthy foods that will give you better value at each shop and support the health of the future generations.

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For kids to thrive, they need the right balance of physical activity and sleep for good health, but we need to make it more of a priority.

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1in 4

kids met the Australian physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines of at least 60 minutes per day.

68%

of Australian kids across all age groups are unfortunately exceeding the current national recommended guidelines for screen-based activity time, with numbers growing.

As gaming adds to total screen time, excessive gaming may negatively influence health by taking away from physical activity and other healthy behaviours.

Dr Rob McCartney

Chief Medical Officer, Woolworths Group, Occupational and Environmental Physician

What moves should we make?

Get to know the enablers for movement into adulthood, plus other factors that contribute to our kids’ healthy growth.

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Childhood is a foundational time to nurture kids’ mental wellbeing, with up to half of adult mental health conditions able to be prevented during childhood and adolescence. Let’s give it the attention it deserves.

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50%

of adult mental health conditions emerge before the age of 14.

25-50%

of adult mental illnesses can be prevented by early intervention during childhood and adolescence.

The number of young people experiencing mental ill-health has grown by 50% in the past 15 years. Supporting kids early when they show signs of struggling is key for preventing adult mental health conditions.

Dr Moira Junge

Registered Health Psychologist, CEO Sleep Health Foundation

How can we support kids early on?

Mental wellbeing is a foundation for good health. Find out how we can nurture the mental wellbeing of our future generations.

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We want kids to live long and healthy lives, but the trends outlined in the report tell a different story. Discover what’s needed to give them a better shot at a healthier future.

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of kids aged 5-14 suffer from asthma, which is the leading cause of total disease burden among children.

24%

of kids aged 6-14 had experienced dental caries (cavities) in their permanent teeth.

By prioritising disease prevention and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices during childhood, there is potential to decrease the need for children to start prescription medications for lifestyle-related diseases as they grow older.

Sarah Gray

Chief of Health Operations and Innovation, Healthylife, Pharmacist and Nutritionist

What do our kids need?

From asthma to dental health and decay, get to know the common health conditions in kids today, and how we can best support them.

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Where to next?

In light of the data available, the Healthylife Advisory Board poses considerations for action and provides resources for parents and the wider community to help our kids have a healthier future.

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Every member of our Advisory Board is a qualified health expert in their field, bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences to help ensure all of Healthylife’s initiatives are based on science.

meet our

Simone Austin

Chief Health Officer, Healthylife

Chair of Advisory Board and Accredited Practising Dietitian

Stevie Wring

General Manager of Health and Nutrition, Woolworths Group

Public Health Nutritionist and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner

Dr Moira Junge

Registered Health Psychologist

CEO, Sleep Health Foundation

Dr Dinesh Palipana

Emergency Department Doctor

Senior Medical School Lecturer and Lawyer, person with a spinal cord injury

Sarah Gray

Chief of Health Operations and Innovation, Healthylife

Registered Pharmacist and Nutritionist

Dr Rob McCartney

Chief Medical Officer, Woolworths Group

Occupational and Environmental Physician

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Explore the many opportunities for Woolworths Group, industry, government and the wider community to both individually and together improve Australians’ kids health and wellbeing.

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