We’re getting slimmer
But our obesity figures dip
GEELONG residents are getting thinner and smoking less, a new survey shows.
But Surf Coast and Queenscliff residents are suffering the highest exposure to alcohol-related illnesses in Victoria.
The proportion of people considered overweight or obese in Geelong has dropped by almost seven points to 49.1 per cent, which is slightly below the Victorian average.
The Victorian Population Health Survey, which tapped into more than 33,000 people, compared health figures from 2011 to 2014. Deakin University Professor Boyd Swinburn, who has led several childhood obesity prevention programs in Geelong, said the weight results were exciting and unexpected.
“Adult obesity seemed to be relentlessly increasing, so this 6.9 percentage point reduction in Geelong really needs to be further investigated,” he said. Smoking rates in Geelong remain relatively high, but have fallen considerably over the three-year period to 12.2 per cent.
Daily consumption of sugar-laden soft drinks also dropped, with people also eating more fruit and vegetables.
The survey found high drinking rates in coastal areas have left about four in five residents with an “increased lifetime risk” of illnesses such as liver cirrhosis, dementia, various cancers or alcohol addiction.
Geelong’s drinking rates were far lower than in the Surf Coast and Queenscliff.
SURF Coast and Queenscliffe Borough residents have the highest exposure to alcohol-related illnesses in Victoria, a new health study has revealed.
High drinking rates have left about four in five residents with an “increased lifetime risk” to illnesses such as liver cirrhosis, dementia, various cancers or alcohol addiction, according to the Victorian Population Health Survey.
The figures in Queenscliff (80.1 per cent) and Surf Coast (79.7) were the highest of all Victorian council areas.
Geelong’s drinking rates were far lower than their coastal neighbours, with its mark of 58.2 per cent a full point under the Victorian average.
However, Surf Coast and Queenscliffe residents are among the most active in the state, with both areas in the top three for sufficient rates of exercise.
The statewide 2014 survey, which tapped into more than 33,000 people, showed that Geelong residents have been smoking less and have lost weight since the previous study in 2011.
The proportion of people considered overweight or obese had dropped by almost seven points to 49.1 per cent, which is slightly below the Victorian average.
Deakin University Professor Boyd Swinburn, who has led several childhood obesity prevention programs in Geelong, said the results were exciting and unexpected.
“Adult obesity seemed to be relentlessly increasing, so this 6.9 percentage point reduction in Geelong really needs to be further investigated,” he said.
Smoking rates in Geelong remain relatively high, but have fallen considerably over the three-year period to 12.2 per cent.
Daily consumption of sugar-laden soft drinks also dropped, with people also eating more fruit and vegetables.
City of Greater Geelong’s community life general manager, Linda Quinn, was buoyed by the result, after several local organisations had been actively trying to improve health outcomes.
“It is so encouraging to see the figures move in a positive direction after all the work that has been happening in our local community over the last five years,” she said.
However, Geelong has an undesirable prevalence of high blood pressure, regular takeaway meals and a lack of walking for trips of 10 minutes or more.