Tip Of The Week 13th December 2009
New Statistics on Childhood Obesity
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has recently revealed (Sept 2009) that a quarter of Australian children are either overweight or obese - and that figure is continuing to rise.
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Lifestyle ProgramsThe Australian Bureau of Statistics found the number of children (age between 5 and 17) classified as overweight had risen in the past two years. In 2007/2008 25% of children were either overweight or obese, up four percentage points since 1995. Obesity in boys had doubled to 10% during this time with obesity in girls now at 20%, an increase of eight percentage points since 1995.
The statistics also showed that 37% of children did not take part in sports at all; sport has become more popular though with almost two-thirds of 5 - 14 year-olds playing organised sport outside of school hours; on average, 2 hours per day is spent on activities such as watching television and playing computer games; and participation in informal sporting activities such as bike riding and rollerblading remained at similar levels to previous years (6 hours per fortnight).
The concern with childhood obesity is not only the likelihood of lifestyle related diseases such as type-2-diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular disease, but also that people who suffer weight problems during childhood were more likely to have the same problems in their adult lives. In 2007-08, 61 per cent of adult Australians were overweight or obese.
What can we do?
It is certainly a huge challenge that extends through all levels of society. At the top of the chain, legislation regarding food advertising will help along with continued education and awareness around healthy eating and active lifestyle for kids and their families.
At an individual level being aware of the environment, and whether is promotes healthy eating and regular physical activity or a sedentary lifestyle is important, combined with leadership from parents and other family peers in health behaviour values and attitudes helps pave the way for a health lifetime. Computer games and special treats in terms of food don't need to be avoided, just used in a strategic way to foster a healthy attitude towards a physically active and nutritious lifetime. More on this in weeks to come....
For expert analysis on your current body composition, complete the Lifestyle Medicine Body Composition Tool. The feedback will steer you in the right direction.
Australian Lifestyle Medicine Conference
If you are a member of the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association (ALMA), work in the area of allied health or primary care or just interested to know more about this unique area from the leaders in Lifestyle Medicine check out ALMA's National Lifestyle Medicine Conference set for March 2010. Early bird registration closes 15th December.
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