Obesity and smoking hotspots revealed

The rate of obese or overweight adults is as high as four-out-of-five in some local areas, according to a new National Health Performance Authority report.

The report, the first in Australia to break down overweight and obesity rates by local areas and compare similar communities, shows the percentages of obese or overweight adults ranged across local areas from 49% to 79% in 2011–12. National or state-level average figures camouflage how high these rates have become in many local areas.

Another report – on tobacco smoking rates - published by the authority,
 shows up to 28% of adults smoked daily in one local area – more than three times higher than the local area with the lowest rate (6%).

Findings revealed:

• Obesity rates varied from 14% in Sydney North Shore and Beaches to almost three times higher (41%) in Lodden-Mallee-Murray, which spans Victoria and New South Wales 
• The highest rate of adult smokers was in Grampians (Victoria), where 28% of adults smoked daily, compared to 6% in Sydney North Shore and Beaches. 

Following the release of the reports, the Obesity Policy Coalition called on the Federal Government to commit to a national action plan to prevent obesity. There were similar calls regarding smoking.

The Council of Australian Governments asked the authority to report on overweight, obesity and smoking rates in local areas to assist clinicians and health managers to better target and drive improvements.

The ADAVB is working with the Victorian Department of Health and the Australian Physiotherapy Association (Victoria) to develop a Health Promoting Practices project focussing on preventive measures around smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and nutrition.  More information about this project will appear over the coming months.