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28th February, 2006
Australians are getting fatter, are drinking more
alcohol and are showing no inclination to stop smoking or
exercise more, according to the latest health snapshot of
the nation.
The National Health Survey, released by the Australian Bureau
of Statistics this week, shows that as many as 62 per cent
of men and 45 per cent of women are classified as overweight
or obese (up from 52 per cent and 37 per cent in 2001 respectively)
but that only 32 per cent of men and 37 per cent of women
assessed themselves as being overweight.
The data shows that the proportion of adults who consumed
such high levels of alcohol that it would pose a risk or very
high risk to their health rose to 13 per cent from 11 per
cent in 2001 while the number of smokers - one in four adults
- remained at the same level as it was in 2001.
Two-thirds of adults reported exercising for recreation, sport
or fitness in the two weeks prior to the survey - a similar
result to 2001.
Other findings show that 77 per cent of population report
having at least one long-term medical condition with asthma
the most common among children aged less than 15 years, hay
fever and allergic rhinitis the most prevalent long-term condition
for people aged 15 to 24 and sight conditions, arthritis,
hearing loss and high blood pressure most common among those
65 or older.
- DAVID ADAMS
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