Alex Dalland
Australian men are living healthier lives than ever but need to watch their waistlines, according to a new release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
In looking at data from the National Health Survey, the department identified that while men are increasingly refraining from negative lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol, around 71 per cent of Aussie men aged 18 and over are overweight or obese.
“The types of food consumed and how active men are can impact their overall health,” Dr Paul Jelfs, ABS General Manager of Population and Social Statistics says.
“While diets high in added sugars can be associated with weight gain, physical activity helps to maintain good health.”
In survey data from 2011 and 2012, it was revealed that men consume, on average, around 14 teaspoons of sugar per day. Soft drinks are a large contributing factor, making up 22 per cent of those numbers.
“Meanwhile around half (49 per cent) of Australian men aged 18-64 years participated in sufficient physical activity of 150 minutes a week over five sessions,” said Dr Jelfs.
Australia is the fifth most obese country in the 35 countries that make up the OECD, behind the United States, Mexico, New Zealand and Hungary respectively.
“Half or more of the adult population is now defined as being either overweight or obese in no less than 13 OECD countries, including Australia,” Sally Bullock of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Population Health Unit says.
According to Professor Manny Noakes, CSIRO’s Research Director for Nutrition and Health, the key to weight loss is to seek support.
“For many Australians losing weight is a challenging experience,” Professor Noakes says.
“Health professionals, friends and family can all play a role in helping dieters eat better and control their weight.”
