Young women face battle of the bulge
YOUNG women have become the epicentre of the nation’s obesity epidemic with the fastest growing waistlines in the country.
Women aged 25-34 saw their waistlines expand by an average of 8.4cm in the 12 years from 2000 to 2012, the most of any age group, says Deakin University obesity expert Professor Anna Peeters.
The demographic also stacked on the most kilos in that period, adding 590g to their weight each year.
In 1995, the ABS national health survey showed women in this age group weighed an average 63.6kg; that had grown to 69kg in the same survey in 2015.
F45 Darwin trainer Yasmin Budack said she had always been involved in sport but still had to work hard to make sure she did not put on weight.
The 21-year-old works out most days, fitting in gym classes and evening runs, and recommended bootcamps or group classes for those looking to shed some weight.
“I try to eat healthily most of the time – don’t we all – but I do believe in everything in moderation,” she said.
“My most important thing is having fun while I work out. I’ve joined so many gyms but when you’ve got to motivate yourself, it’s really hard.”
The waistlines of younger men are also expanding at a faster rate than those of older men. Between 2000 and 2012 the waistlines of men aged 25-34 grew by 55mm a year and their weight rose by 550g a year.
In 1995, men in this age group weighed 80.6kg on average; this had grown to 85kg in 2015.