It's official: We need to LiveLighter!

26/07/2012

The latest figures from the Bureau of Statistics cast a grim light on the health of the nation. It confirms that 61 per cent of Australian adults are now overweight or obese – and we continue to get bigger.

The weight of the average Australian man has soared by 3.2kg (to 85.2kg) in just over a decade. The news isn't much better for the ladies, gaining 3.1kg (to 70.1kg) over the same time period.

"These alarming statistics are the precise reason why public education campaigns, such as LiveLighter, are needed," said Maurice Swanson, CEO of the Heart Foundation (WA Division).

"We all need to have an honest look at ourselves and see what areas of our lives would benefit from a few healthier changes. Even small changes can make a big difference to your long term health," he added.

Also concerning are statistics showing the waist circumference of the average Australian (both men and women) is several centimetres higher than the national recommendations.

"If your waist circumference is higher than 80cm (for women) and 94cm (for men), you're at a higher risk of developing serious diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers."

"If you have a "grabbable gut", it's likely you have too much of the toxic (visceral) fat surrounding your organs – much like what you see in our advertisements."

The LiveLighter website has a number of free interactive tools which can help assess a person's health risk. Whatever your size, we can all benefit from making healthy changes to our lifestyles. Find out more at www.livelighter.com.au.

Source: ABS, Facts at your Fingertips: Health, 2011 (released 25 July 2012)

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For more information, please contact:
LiveLighter Media and Communications Manager
T: (08) 9382 5913
E: media@livelighter.com.au