A quarter of adults living in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs are obese – and only half exercise the minimum 30 minutes a day.
The latest Australian Health Survey, analysed by the National Heart Foundation, reveals 24.7 per cent of adults living in Melbourne’s north-west, including Melton, have a body mass index of more than 30. The normal range is between 18.5 and 25.
Only 57.4 per cent of adults in the north-west exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week, the report found.
It states “testing shows there is a strong positive relationship between the proportion of adults who are obese in a region and the proportion of adults who are physically inactive”.
Djerriwarrh Health Services acting chief executive David Grace said there was a “worrying trend” in the increasing numbers of obesity-related health issues coming to the surface.
“Being overweight or obese is the result of a complex interplay of individual, social and environmental factors, which impact one’s ability to access and consume nutritious food and maintain an active lifestyle,” Mr Grace said.
Shepparton and Ballarat were ranked first and second, respectively, for obesity and physical inactivity.
The north-west was ranked 12th out of 17 regions.
Sumeyya Ilanbey
