Obesity
By Alicia Cullinane 10A2
Outline of health issue
Why it's a National health priority area
Obesity has become a National health priority area because it is sitting at an alarming number 5 on the fattest country list. Obesity is the second highest contributor to burden of disease and nearly a quarter of all Australian (24.6%) are obese. Obesity is responsible for 7,200 deaths each year in Australia, as well one in five heart attacks, half of diabetes, and other problems such as reproductive complications and back pain.
Contributing causes and symptoms
- Genetics: if both your parents are overweight there is more chance that
their child will be over weight
- Pharmacology
- Hormones
Behavioural:
- Physical activity
- Food choices
- Using public transport instead of walking
Social:
- Living wages
- access to health care
- access to healthy foods
- Social media
Treatment and prevention
- Excercise regularly
- Avoid eating fatty foods
- Follow a healthy eating plan
- Monitor your weight regularly
- Be consistent
- Balance calorie intake to calorie outtake
Local support agencies:
- Dietitions Association of Australia Telephone: 1800 812 942
- National eating disorders collaboration
- Livelighter
- Obesity policy coalition
- Health Direct
Age groups and genders of Australians with these conditions.
- 1 in 4 Australian children (25%) are overweight or obese
Adults:
- Almost 2 in 3 Australian adults (63%) are overweight or obese.
- Males rates for obesity are higher than females.