Overweight and Obesity in Australia

For my census data, I have selected the topic of overweight/obese people in Australia over the age of 18. From 2007-2008, obesity in Australia reached 62.8% in males and 47.6% in females, based on people's self reported height and weight. This data for both male and female has increased by 5% in comparison to the 2001 results, which is believed to be caused by lack of exercise and diet. In 2020 it is predicted that 80% of Australian adults and over a third of children will be classified as overweight or obese.Although genetics are believed to play a role in a person's physical appearance, the fundamental cause is an imbalance between food consumption and exercise. Having an overweight population can have a significant impact on Australia's health, as well as negative social and economical factors. Regarding our health, an obese society increases the risk of major health conditions such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers which may lead to physical concerns and poor sleeping patterns. In 2008, the annual cost of obesity in Australia including health system costs and loss of productivity rose to approximately $58 billion.

Fifty eight billion!

Thats 58 billion dollars we could of put into our healthcare systems, improving the environment, economy and education. Fifty eight billion dollars gone to waste. 

One of the main causes of obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended over time.  Physical activity such as exercise increases the body's normal energy expenditure, the total exhausted amount depending on the type of physical activity performed.  The National Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults need at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on a daily basis to maintain healthy status. 

I think its disgraceful that Australia is now currently labelled as the "fattest nation" in the world. Over half of our population is counteracted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as obese or overweight. Without drastic changes in our diets, our health will be at a bigger risk for our futures and have a bad influence on generations to come. Common Australia we are better then that! Lets be proactive and transform ourselves to be at our fill healthy and fit potentials.