HEALTH DIVIDE IN OUR SUBURBS

LIVING in leafy suburbs could be better for your health, according to new Health Tracker findings released this month.

The Health Tracker, by the Australian Health Policy Collaboration, found significant levels of health risk in many outer Townsville suburbs while residents in wealthier suburbs had lower levels of obesity, smoking and led more active lives.

Suburbs where residents were the most physically active were North Ward, Townsville CBD and Mount Louisa, which showed the lowest levels of living a sedentary lifestyle at 58.2 per cent.

Annandale, Douglas and Oonoonba followed a close second with 59.1 per cent.

When it came to body size, FINDING the perfect house also means taking into account your lifestyle.

For new homeowner and fitness enthusiast Ben McCarthy, parks and access to gyms were at the top of his list when buying his Mundingburra home – which is located only a short walk from Townsville’s well- known Sheriff Park on Love Lane.

“My partner and I bought the house because of its location and we’ve now been here for three months,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Our lifestyle was definitely a consideration when looking around for the right house. I manage three gyms in Townsville and one in Ayr so it goes without saying that we’re active people. We also have a dog who needs regular exercise so being close to the park ticked all our North Ward, Townsville CBD and Mount Louisa were once again on top with only 59 residents considered overweight or obese.

Townsville’s heaviest residents were found along the Northern Beaches with 70.5 per cent overweight or obese.

Those conscious of second- boxes, as it allows us to walk our dog and go for runs.”

Ray White Townsville Principal Julie Munro, who sold the property to the couple in March, said lifestyle requirements were the biggest ticket item for homebuyers these days.

“Buying a home is no longer about bricks and mortar as it was for our parents’ generation,” she said. “Today’s buyers look at value and aspect of and around the home.

“They consider the location and lifestyle surrounding the property more than ever.

“Lifestyle aspects are now also important when we put homes on the market but specifically targeting buyers that may be interested in the home due to its location or space.” hand smoking should consider living in Annandale, Douglas and Oonoonba with only 14.8 per cent of residents smokers compared with Condon, Rasmussen and Kelso which, at 24.4 per cent, account for Townsville’s highest level of smokers.

AHPC director Professor Rosemary Calder, who co- ordinated the findings, said while individual wealth played a role in a person’s ability to live a healthy lifestyle, their environment also made a great difference.

“Communities that are newer outer suburbs commonly don’t have good public