A leading dietician has told a mining conference that obesity is both a health issue for miners and a safety issue for the industry.

Dr Trent Watson has addressed the NSW Mining Health Safety and Environment Conference in the Hunter Valley.

In an interview with the ABC, Dr Watson said the industry needs to play a bigger part in preventing and managing obesity, by providing more supportive workplaces.

“What we do know is that obesity is associated with increased levels of absenteeism, muscular skeletal disorders, associated fatigue outcomes because obesity is associated with sleep apnoea,” he said.

“This is not just a health risk.

“It's a safety risk as well so I think there are some high stakes.”

Dr Watson said tackling obesity needs a multi-level approach.

“One of the first steps is bringing the experts in the field together and creating a blueprint of how to deal with this issue,” he said.

“I think it needs to be multi level.

“I think there needs to be some really strong social leadership.

“There needs to be impact on the culture and environment that these guys are working in.

“Then it goes down to the culture and behavioural change that goes with it.

“If they are not focussing on a multi level intervention, then it is destined for failure.”