Two-thirds of Australians are now classed as overweight or obese, according to new Bureau of Statistics figures. It is an indictment of a nation which prides itself on its sporting prowess and lauds the success of athletes, but is failing to take care of its own health.
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We don’t exercise hard enough, often enough. We prefer sweet foods to savoury, fast foods to home cooking. Portions have steadily increased since mid-century and our access to all types of high-calorie, low nutrient foods has skyrocketed.
As a result our health risk factors have been getting steadily worse in the past two decades. The ABS report found that 67 per cent of people 18 years of age and over were overweight or obese – a rise of four per cent on just three years ago and 11 per cent on 13 years ago. Men were more likely to be overweight or obese than women (74.5 per cent to 60 per cent) and that the chance of becoming overweight increased as you aged.
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We, as a nation, exercised on average 42 minutes a day, but it’s mainly walking for transport or exercise. Most failed to meet the physical activity government guidelines laid down last year. Most of us spend our lives seated, at a desk.
And while we liked fruit (51.3 per cent had two or more serves), not so much vegetables (only 7.5 per cent of adults met the guidelines of five to six serves or more a day regardless of gender).
It’s a timebomb – for our health and for the costs to the public health system. Thecalls on health funding are endless, but the pool is limited. Obesity-related illnesses increasingly take more of the pot. Illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, which are preventable.
It’s time – and timely – to take heed of the figures. Christmas is, traditionally, a time of food and alcohol excess – where restraint goes out the window. It’s quickly followed by eater’s remorse and the never-fully-realised New Years promises to join a gym and eat better. This year, instead of waiting, start the journey to better health during the festive season – eat less, exercise more. The money saved can help pay off the Christmas spending spree credit card bill.
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