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