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Half of Australia's fat population think they're healthy

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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More than half of the nation is not healthy, with 54 percent weighing in at an overweight or obese level, but one in six obese Australians believe their weight is in the healthy weight range, a new study had found.

Researchers commissioned by the Heart Foundation and insurer Zurich interviewed 1200 respondents aged 20 and over on the telephone, using self-reported data.

The Heart Foundation says one of the most worrying outcomes of the study was that "obesity is somewhat normalising".

CEO of the Heart Foundation, Dr Lyn Roberts, said that Australians are putting themselves at risk of heart disease because they are unaware of what to do to meet healthy guidelines, particularly when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight.

"As our waistlines expand, it appears that our perception of what is a healthy weight has also expanded so many people who are overweight or obese do not actually see themselves in this way," Dr Roberts said.

Heart disease remains the most common cause of mortality among Australians. There are steps everyone can take to improve heart health including maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy food, exercising and knowing your blood-cholesterol and blood-pressure levels.

The study also found:

  • 21.3 percent of the population is obese compared to 18 percent last year.
  • Men are more likely to think they meet weight guidelines though they are overweight or obese with 22 percent of obese men believing they meet the guidelines compared with 12 percent of women.
  • Overall, 54 percent of the population is either overweight or obese, compared to 50 percent last year.

Your say: Do you think these findings are in line with what you see? How healthy do you think you are? Share your thoughts below...

User comments
I totally agree with some of these comments. I think that fat people believe they are within the healthy weight range because its the majority-rules effect. I was overweight a few years ago, nowhere near obese, but got up and exercised and am now lean and fit at a size 6-8. Personally, I am sick and tired of fat people telling me "you're too skinny", "you need to put some fat on" etc. I am fit, healthy and athletic, my bones dont stick out, and I have toned muscle that was hard work to achieve, and if fat people dont like it or are jealous, they can go jump....if indeed they are still able to!
,Even if obese people lost all there fat you would all pay the same Taxes.Lot's of tax payer's money is wasted I can think of 20 thing's that has nothing to do with obese people. Who do you think your helping by being Nasty,Cranky people. I find most lazy fat people are very happy they are all so funny and very caring. What kind of world are we going to have. I love that we are all different,go and buy yourself's a cream cake have a cuppa don't exersize take the pressure of yourself's Be happy!
I am type 1 diabetic and I get a little ticked off at the media linking type2 diabetes with type 1.Mine is genetic not life style related like type 2 maybe we should change its name to what it is really DIABESITY.Lazy people stuffing their fat faces with crap food and wondering why they are unhealthy.Get off your *** and get back into life.
I guess people feel as though extra weight is healthy because being overweight is normal i.e. normal equals the 54% majority. Our lifestyles are to blame..too much junk, over processed high carb food, sedentary work and lives etc. I've also noticed that fit people these days tend to be higher socio economic (whereas traditionally a belly meant you were living well). I think the best strategy to lose weight is to make small changes to lifestyle such as eating more fresh food and using the car a little less in the day to day. I get off the train 1 stop early and walk as well as go for a walk at lunch...seem to work and I don't really notice the effort.
All those whinging and complaining about your weight - IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT! I too am at least 15kg overweight and I do not blame anyone other than myself! Too many people have been blaming too many others for their own faults. Blame the Govt, blame the schools, blame the police, blame the council, blame the Americans, blame the Poms, blame everybody else but yourself. Kyle was right when he commented on the Concentration Camp. He may have been rude and insensitive but he was right. There are no fat people in a Concentration Camp. Change your eating habits and get off your backside once in a while and take responsibility for own weight.
Instead of beating people over the head for being overweight. We need to look at the causes. I very much doubt that it is just laziness and overeating. Some responsibility for this epidemic (54%!!!!) has to be taken by the food industry who process food within an inch of normality and fill it with all kinds of harmful substances which make us feel empty and want more. I think it's time for greater regulation to take the fat-making junk out of our food through greater regulation. Sure, people could always lead a healthier lifestyle but taking away the enabler (the junk in food) would be a great start. I mean, can't we see that the increase in overweight people pretty much follows the expansion of fast food outlets and more highly processed food stuffs. I'm not advocating that it's all the food industry's fault but I think there's a strong case to suggest they are at least partially responsible.
I personally went through massive weight loss and, of course, I do feel much better in comparison to before. I use to be a size 16 and I was told I was obese... But then if a size 16 is considered to be obese how can a size 14 be the average? This is what I don't understand and I don't think I ever will. People can not understand what it's like to be big and how it feels to have people talk about them in this away until they go through it, and because of that they shouldn't judge others. If people believe they are fit and healthy let them believe it as opposed to putting them down... and to Miss from Adelaide.. Don't use the BMI as a guide. I now weigh approx. 65kg and apparently I am still overweight... I don't think so. If I was any thinner people would think I had an eating disorder... Everyone has the right to look and feel how they want, and if they're comfortable in their own skin that's fine, as for the people around them who can't accept it.. they're the ones with the problems.
Yep i'm one of those lazy ones ya talking about. I was a reasonable weight until I got on a medication for a mental illness that had a side affect of feeling empty all the time. Yes I pilled on the weight due to boredum and got myself into a routine of lazyiness. Am I blaming anyone NO! Humans are creatures of habbit and changing habbits is actually scary for some people. I'm lucky enough not to have a family history of diabeties and high blood pressure. What am I going to do about it? Enjoy my life, by being me not a stereo type. My friends and family accept me no matter if I'm fat, fit, skinny, whatever. I'm not a crowd pleaser, nor worried about an expensive image. FACT IS IF YOUR NOT HAPPY WITH WHO YOU ARE ON THE INSIDE IT WON'T MATTER WHAT YA LOOK ON THE OUTSIDE!!
Yes dogooderhater, there a lot of people here fat-bashing. Yes, the tone is terse (perhaps too terse). And I agree that people should be able to live the way they want. But there is a serious issue when 54% of people are overweight. I agree that fat has been normalised, and probably the fact that so many people are fat is a normalising factor. But I think there has also been too much of a 'being large is ok, be happy with your body' message over the last decade. Being built solidly is ok, but let's face it, some people aint too bright and are going to take that message as meaning any level of obesity is ok. Its not ok. Let's not glamourise it, lets start making it clear that fat is not ok. Why do we sit quietly when people eat too much yet we jump up and down on our mates if they smoke or drink too much? Jump on your mate when he eats too much (just don't let him jump back, it might hurt).
In response to Obesity Smobesity who said ''Live and let live, if people want to be overweight and suffer the consequences it's their business no one elses!!'' - Untrue. I am paying taxes which are then going in to these obese people due to their numerable health problems and the strain it puts on the public health system in Australia. There are people with real illnesses that are not brought on by laziness and stupidity and my money should be going towards them instead of fat people!

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