Draft Australian Dietary Guidelines (PDF, 3MB) - Eat For Health

4.1.4.2 Benefits of physical activityPhysical inactivity accounted for 6.6% of the burden of disease in Australia in 2003. Substantialpopulation health gains are possible if the community adopts more regular moderate physicalactivity [11]. Being physically active:• reduces the risk of all-cause mortality [753, 754]• is an important factor in the prevention and management of a range of chronic diseases,including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some cancers[755, 756]• is associated with reduced risk of injury [755, 756]• offers other health benefits, including building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles andjoints [755, 756]• improves self-esteem, self-image and quality of life [755-758].The greatest health benefit is found in moving from no activity to low levels of activity, but even athigher levels of activity, benefits accrue from additional activity [753, 754]. Benefits have beendescribed for all age groups and physically active children are more likely to remain physicallyactive throughout adolescence and into adulthood [759, 760].4.2 The evidence for ‘achieving andmaintaining a healthy weight’The evidence statements and gradings (A- convincing association, B- probable association, C-suggestive association) related to ‘healthy weight’ from the Evidence Report (literature from years2002 – 2009) are presented in the table below. This does not include evidence from othersources, such as the 2003 Dietary Guidelines (where evidence was classified as level I, II or III inwhich individual studies were classified according to their design but overall grades forrelationships were not derived), although these sources have been used to inform the Guidelines.Evidence StatementCompared to infants who are formula fed, being breastfed is associatedwith reduced risk of becoming obese in childhood, adolescence, and earlyadulthood.Increased birth weight, especially above 4,000g, is associated withincreased risk of overweight or obesity in childhood, adolescence, andlater in life.Excessive weight gain relative to height during childhood is associated withGradeAAADRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines- December 2011 113