30 October 2006

New obesity figures released by Minister for Health

Obesity levels have hit an all-time high in NSW with more than half of the state's population considered to be overweight or obese, NSW Minister John Hatzistergos said today.

Mr Hatzistergos said new figures released from the 2006 NSW Population Survey show:

• Almost 51 per cent of 3000 people surveyed this year considered themselves to be overweight or obese - an increase of around nine per cent since 1997
• People aged between 45 and 64 have the highest proportion of people who are classified as overweight or obese.

"It is clear that this is a tsunami which will swamp us unless we take action," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"Obesity's a big risk factor for the development of chronic and life threatening diseases such as heart disease, some cancers, stroke and diabetes."

Mr Hatzistergos said more than 20% of those surveyed in a separate NSW Health study listed obesity as the most pressing health issue, now and during the next 20 years, above smoking, cancer and heart disease.

"This shows a major shift in the way people think about health," he said.

"It shows that healthy lifestyle messages are getting through and people are aware of the need to eat healthy food and be physically active to avoid becoming overweight or obese."

Mr Hatzistergos said key healthy lifestyle messages include:

• Be active each day in as many ways as you can
• Choose water as a drink
• Eat more fruit and vegetables
• Turn off the TV or computer and get active
• Eat fewer snacks and select healthier alternatives.

"This is especially important for those people who are aged in their 40s and 50s to ensure that they remain healthy as they age," he said.

Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW Government was committed to tackling obesity amongst all age groups with an emphasis on healthy eating and good nutrition.

Key strategies for children include:

• Healthy kids website
• Healthy school canteens
• A comprehensive obesity prevention initiative to explore a range of interventions aimed at reducing childhood obesity in Hunter New England area
• Encouraging mother to exclusively breastfeed to 6 months and to continue to breastfeed their infants to 12 months.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au