Good Nutrition and Weight Control the Key To A
Healthy Life, Australian Medical Association
25 Jul 2005
AMA (Australian Medical Association) President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today
that GPs are a good first port of call for people concerned about nutrition and
diet, and encouraged anyone concerned about their weight to talk to their family
doctor.
Dr Haikerwal made the comments during the Federal AMA's 13th Family Doctor Week
(FDW). The theme this year is GPs are Lifesavers.
Dr Haikerwal said the rate of obesity is on the rise in Australia with half of
all Australian adults weighing in overweight or obese.
“Around a third of children are overweight or obese. If current trends
continue half of all young Australians will be overweight by 2025,” Dr
Haikerwal said.
“With the very public battle against obesity there's been a rise in the number
of fad diets and weight loss programs.
“But it's really important that people get good information before starting a
new eating plan and the family GP can provide support and advice.
“Different diets suit different people. It's important to enjoy what you eat -
that way you're more likely to stick to a diet. A diet needs to be sustainable
in the long term. Your family doctor can help you sort out what will suit your
needs best.
“Not all diets and eating regimes are supported by scientific evidence, so
it's important that people also get help to wade through the information and
sort fact from fiction.
“A recent comparison of popular diets, including Atkins, The Zone and Weight
Watchers, shows these programs can certainly help people lose weight, but only
if they stick to the regime for a sustained period of time.
“Some diets include very strict eating plans with very little variety. It's no
wonder people have trouble going the distance.
“Some diets are quite complex, and depend on in-depth knowledge for their
success. Popular low carbohydrate diets are a good example. Some people have
lost weight but others find the diet difficult to stick to,” Dr Haikerwal
said.
Survey results published in the Medical Journal of Australia showed that many
people were not able to identify all carbohydrate rich foods, not realising that
soft drinks, alcohol, lollies and cheese could be classified as carbohydrates.
Facts
* 2.4 million adult Australians are obese (16 per cent men; 17 per cent women) -
Body Mass Index (BMI) 30 and above
* additional 4.9 million Australian adults are overweight with BMI above 25, but
below 30 (42 per cent men; 25 per cent women)
* Waist circumference is an independent risk factor for Type 2 diabetes,
coronary heart disease and other health problems
* 27 per cent of men and 34 per cent of women over 25 in Australia are
abdominally obese (waste circumference of more than 102cm in men and 88cm in
women) in 2000
* Additional 28 per cent of men and 22 per cent of women are abdominally
overweight (waist circumference of more than 94cm in men and 80cm in women).
2001 National Household Survey - Australia's Health 2004 (AIHW)
* Childhood obesity in Australia has been estimated to be rising at an annual
rate of 1 per cent, meaning half of all young Australia's will be overweight by
the year 2025
* 14.3 per cent of boys and 16.4 girls (ages 2-14) were overweight
* additional 3.7 per cent of boys and 5.6 per cent of girls considered to be
obese.
National Nutrition Survey - Australia's Children 2005 (AIHW)
“People should be eating more fresh fruit and vegies and fewer packaged foods,
which are often very high in fats, salt and sugars,” Dr Haikerwal said.
“And people wanting to lose weight should be doing more regular exercise, but
start slowly and work up to more rigorous activities.
“As a rule, most things in moderation,” Dr Haikerwal said.
There will be a range of FDW activities co-ordinated out of the Federal and
State AMA offices. For more details call Kristen Connell on 02 6270 5439 or 0409
070 346. An image of this year's FDW poster is available on the AMA's website http://www.ama.com.au.
The AMA's 2005 Family Doctor Week is supported by American Express.
Judith Tokley, AMA Public Affair
(02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306
ama.com.au
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