South Coast families say no to sugar: 'People of all ages are changing'

Indigenous health worker Karina Kelly said many families are attempting to remove sugar from their diets completely.

"A lot of people of all ages are changing to eating healthy food," Ms Kelly said.

"The older ones are changing their diet, and the younger ones are following suit, so it's being handed down through the generations."

Through her work on the frontline battle for positive health outcomes, she has seen some families delete sugar completely.

"You only have to influence one person to change the whole family," Ms Kelly said.

"I do see the change."

Sugar is often used by food manufacturers to both increase the flavour of food as well as extend its shelf life, making it difficult for many families to avoid consumption.

Ms Kelly said while education has been a driving force behind the change, more must be done for better health outcomes.

She said family finances often shape diets, and many families lack the financial means to eat healthily.

According to the Primary Health Network for South Eastern NSW, over 71 per cent of Indigenous adults are either obese or overweight.

The network said issues including "high blood pressure, obesity and overweight, inadequate physical activity and inadequate consumption of fruits" are prevalent within Indigenous communities across NSW.

It is now more than 10 years since the Council of Australian Governments first set targets aimed at what it called "closing the gap" in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

"While it is clear that improvements are being made in important areas, due to the work of so many dedicated health professionals and community leaders, it is also clear that there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve a health system that is equally responsive to all," Bureau of Health Information chief executive Dr Diane Watson said last year.