Doctors urge ‘fat tax’ as obesity hits Australia

Increasingly portly Australians may be slapped with a ‘‘fat tax’’ on chips, hamburgers and soft drinks as obesity balloons to record levels. A recent national survey of over 11,000 people by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) showed almost 60 per cent of Australians were overweight or obese, more than double the rate 20 years ago.

AMA vice-President Mukesh Haikerwal said on Monday that the ‘‘fat tax’’ would be one of several fat-fighting ideas put to health ministers next month. Under the proposal, foods with a high fat or sugar content would attract an extra tax.

‘‘It’s not about money,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s part of a strategy to make people more aware of the content of food that’s bought.’’

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Disturbingly, changes in diet and a fall in physical activity have contributed to a growing number of overweight children developing type two, or adult-onset, diabetes.

Australia has one of the highest rates of the disease in the world.