Chronicle - March 08.pdf - DHCS Digital Library

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The ChronicleObesity in AdultsTammy Devine,DHCS, Nutrition & Physical ActivityThe latest stats are out!The Australian Bureau of Statistics has just releasedOverweight and Obesity in Adults, Australia, 2004-05,which shows that 54% of Australian adults are overweightor obese and the numbers are increasing. In this report,overweight and obesity are classified as those adultshaving a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or above. The cutoff points for classification are outlined in Table 1.To calculate BMI, use the following formula:For example, if my weight is 85kg and my height is 1.7m,my BMI is 29. I am in the overweight category.Table 1*. Body Mass Index CutpointsUnderweight Less than 18.5Normal range 18.5 to less than 25.0Overweight 25.0 to less than 30.0Obese30.0 and greater* BMI cut off points in Table 1 are only for adults. BMIcalculations for children or adolescents must becompared with age and gender percentile charts.Sedentary behavior (low levels of activity) is one of the riskfactors associated with being overweight or obese.Full copies of Overweight and Obesity in Adults,Australia, 2004-05 are available athttp://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4719.0?OpenDocument.ReferencesWeight (kg)Height (m) 2http://www.canadian-health-network.cahttp://www.beactive.com.au/workplace.htmlhttp://www.beactive.com.au/tips.htmTake the opportunity now to make ‘increasingyour physical activity levels’ a New Year’sresolution. Some helpful tips to keep youmoving and motivated:• Choose activities that are fun.• Try a unique activity (wall climbing, poledancing, laser tag, or drum dancing,for example) – you could even findsomething unique to do at home likeusing soup cans as weights, dancingto music on the radio or using an activevideo dance game.• Exercise with other people – exercisecan be fun and socially rewarding.• Keep a diary of your physical activity– this can be a great motivating tool.• Set specific, realistic goals – if you needto, seek advice from your GP.• Join a team or club – you’ll get to workout and meet new people.• Find activities that fit into your dailyroutine – if you’re in an office, take thestairs, walk to a co-worker’s office togive him or her a message or take anactive break (go walking, stretch at yourdesk) instead of a coffee break.If you need some more tips and ideas, visithttp://www.beactive.com.au/tips.htm24TheChronicle March 2008
Publication ofThe Chronic Diseases NetworkGood Tucker - Good HealthThe Chronicle March 2008Alison Lorraine,DHCS, Nutrition andPhysical ActivityThis conference will be the firstNational Nutrition NetworksConference since the last one heldin Cairns in 1999. Throughout the1990’s Nutrition Networks was avalued forum for Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people (andothers) working in a wide range ofnutrition programs and activitiesto share good practice and learnfrom each other. National NutritionNetworks 08 (NNN08) will be agathering of people working in manydifferent settings and approachesto improve the nutrition, health andwellbeing of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people. NNN08 aimsto provide an environment thatenables Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people to share thoughts,knowledge and experiences infood and nutrition, and be inspiredby the good practice shared andnetworks formed. It will also bea great opportunity to advocatefor nutrition and the NationalAboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderNutrition Strategy and Action Plan(NATSINSAP) to be at the forefrontof the Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander health agenda, as well asto consider future directions for theNATSINSAP.NNN08 will have opportunitiesfor all, from keynote speakers topapers, workshops, sharing storiesvia ‘yarning sessions’, posters anddisplays. We will have the opportunityto hear from some prominentAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderspeakers, as well as many of youfrom rural, remote and urban areaswho are doing exciting work that ismaking a difference, so check theconference website regularly forupdates on keynote speakers andthe conference program.11-14 March 2008The conference themes also covera broad range of nutrition issues forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople, including the supply ofhealthy foods to remote and ruralcommunities, nutrition issues inurban areas, Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander nutrition workforce,family focused nutrition programsto improve nutrition and growth formothers and babies, and programsthat promote good nutrition andhealthy weight at other life stages forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople. ‘Good practice’ programsthat help build healthier individualsand communities will also behighlighted.Most importantly, the conferencewill be an opportunity to meetold friends, make new ones, andbe inspired with new ideas andenergy to continue improving policy,knowledge, skills, and supportiveenvironments that will enablehealthy food choices to be easy andaffordable choices for Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people.For further information:The National Nutrition NetworksConferencePO Box 280DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600P: 02 6285 4660F: 02 6285 4670E: conference@ruralhealth.org.auor register@ruralhealth.org.auWebsite www.ruralhealth.org.au25
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