MEDIA RELEASE

LiveLighter weighs in on the waistlines of West Australian men

09/07/2017

Small changes are the first step

The growing size of West Australian men’s waistlines is causing concern for health professionals with 2 out of 3 West Australian men overweight or obese according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

“It’s easy to ignore a 1 or 2 centimetre gain on the waistline, it creeps up on you. Being overweight increases your chance of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers and fatty liver disease,” says Maria Szybiak, LiveLighter’s Campaign Director.

As part of their #grabbablegut campaign, LiveLighter is encouraging WA men to measure up and make small changes for better health.

“The numbers, and men’s waistlines, continue to grow,” says LiveLighter Nutrition and Physical Activity Manager Steve Pratt, “the key to reaching and staying a healthy weight is to first acknowledge a change needs to be made, and take steps to eat better and move more every day. It’s about achieving a healthy balance.”

Small changes are the first step

Over 70% of WA men are overweight or obese and living with toxic fat around their vital organs. Recent Roy Morgan research indicates over 61% of men aged 35 to 64 would like to be able to lose weight1.

Laurence, a West Australian postal worker, faced turning 53 and at 102kg he decided it was time to put his health and family first.

“My motivation was my young family” says Laurence, who became a father for the first time in his late 40s, “It couldn’t be a quick fix. It took planning and willpower. I stopped making excuses - If I said I would go for a walk after work, I did, no matter how tired I was.”

Laurence reduced his portion sizes and cut out the junk food from his diet, choosing foods with no added sugar and low in fat cutting out meat pies, fries and confectionary.

“I’d seen the LiveLighter ads on TV and the image of the middle-aged man consuming junk food really resonated with me,” says Laurence.

Laurence prioritised exercise adding a daily 40 minute walk to his existing 16km cycling commute to work.

And the small changes paid off. Laurence has lost over 20 kilograms and continues to feel the benefits living a healthier lifestyle brings.

“I feel better, have more energy to keep up with my family and have a better understanding on what is best to eat,” says Laurence, “by making changes over the long term, I’ve been able to break bad habits and create healthier ones.”

LiveLighter’s Grabbable Gutful Guide

Top 5 #grabbablegut tips

  1. CALCULATE your risk through BMI or waist measurement
  2. CHALLENGE yourself, set goals, and be accountable
  3. PLAN to eat well. It doesn’t happen by accident. LiveLighter’s free meal planners can help.
  4. MOVE at least 30 minutes a day- something that gets your pulse rate up, fast walking or cycling is ideal
  5. COMMIT to healthier habits and choose changes that you can maintain for life

As part of the “Had a grabbable gutful?” campaign, LiveLighter encourages West Australian men to visit www.grabbablegut.com.au to access the FREE Grabbable Gut toolbox with calculators, meal plans and small change tips to support a healthier lifestyle.

-ENDS-

MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria Jansen, LiveLighter Campaign Manager on 0424 080 709 or Victoria.Jansen@heartfoundation.org.au .

NOTES: 1. Taken from Roy Morgan Single Source Data Mar2017