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ESSA spotlights a need to reshape the way Australians view obesity

ESSA spotlights a need to reshape the way Australians view obesity
March 4, 2022

On World Obesity Day (4th March), Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) would like to reshape the way Australia views obesity and change the way this health issue is addressed, prevented and treated within our community.

With over 30% of the Australian population reported as being overweight or living with obesity, ESSA highlights the importance of understanding the power of exercise and movement is becoming more and more relevant.

ESSA Chief Executive, Anita Hobson-Powell notes “Obesity has become today’s most visible, yet most neglected, public health problem. This is despite the staggering increase in the number of individuals who are at risk of, or are obese.”

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in three Australian adults were obese in 2017-18, which is an increase from one in five in 1995.

Hobson-Powell adds “being overweight and obese is linked to numerous chronic diseases, including CVD, diabetes, many forms of cancer, and numerous musculoskeletal problems. Yet, we continue to see a lack of support from the government in providing easy access to accredited exercise professionals, as well as misled attitudes towards exercise by Aussies.

“Exercise is by far the cheapest and most accessible form of prevention and management of obesity. Plus, there are many great reasons to be physically active - most of them have nothing to do with weight loss.

“We constantly see a fixation on weight loss and exercise used as a punishment. We want to shift this thinking to create long-term healthier habits. Exercise should be about increasing muscle mass, strength and overall fitness, as well as improving mental health, sleep and mood. Exercise should be part of our daily lives, and that in turn will help reduce visceral fat and promote healthy weight loss.”

For people who are inactive for a long period of time, starting exercise can be overwhelming and should be supervised by an accredited exercise professional to make sure that they are exercising safely.

Hobson-Powell advises “an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) are university-trained exercise professionals who are best placed to support anyone on their exercise journey. AEPs are uniquely trained in motivation and finding the ‘why’ that will help people stick to their goals.

“Ultimately, exercise should become a part of a person’s daily routine and should be something that gives fulfillment and enjoyment - not just about weight loss. Pick the activities you enjoy, make exercise fun and make it social so that it’s easier to create a healthy habit of moving every day.”

For more information on ESSA and finding an Accredited Exercise Physiologist go to www.essa.org.au      

Related Articles

15th September 2021 - ESSA launch statement on the role of physical activity in the management of obesity in adults

10th June 2021 - Taxing sugary drinks in Australia is important first step towards tackling obesity

4th March 2021 - Obesity Policy Coalition releases report ‘Brands off our kids’ on World Obesity Day

5th August 2020 - New research finds obesity and overweight driving premature heart disease deaths

1st August 2020 - University of Sydney academics respond to the relationship between obesity and COVID-19

8th June 2020 - Deakin’s Global Obesity Centre reconfirmed as world-leading research centre by WHO

19th May 2020 - New report highlights the impact of obesity on Western Australian health system

11th November 2019 - Northern Territory first to participate in National Obesity Strategy Consultation

10th September 2019 - YMCA South Australia moves to combat childhood obesity

24th July 2019 - ExerciseNZ calls for action on New Zealand’s obesity epidemic and physical inactivity crisis

17th May 2019 - Cultural approaches to activity the key to tackling obesity for women

21st April 2019 - Queensland Government to end junk food advertising in bid to address rising obesity

17th February 2019 - Sport Minister McKenzie accepts ridicule in battle to combat obesity

12th December 2018 - Deakin University launch first report that ranks Australian obesity policies on value for money

11th October 2018 - World Obesity Day looks to end weight stigma

1st March 2018 - New Report says supermarkets must do more in fight against obesity

23rd November 2016 - Grattan Institute report says sugar tax could halt growing obesity rates

11th November 2016 - Australian Sports Commission says sport and education key to tackling obesity

25th February 2016 - New industry qualification to combat obesity

20th October 2015 - World Obesity Federation launches new award to promote healthy conferences

24th June 2015 - Tackling obesity through New Zealand’s rugby clubs

18th March 2015 - Genesis Fitness Cessnock tackles obesity on the front line

21st December 2014 - Obesity shortens lifespans by ‘up to eight years’

21st November 2014 - A quarter of Queensland deaths linked to obesity

30th May 2014 - Study shows Australian obesity rates rising faster than anywhere else in the world

2nd September 2013 - Healthy Canberra Grants provide 2.1 million reasons to reduce obesity rates


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