At least 57 percent of Australian adults are physically inactive and at least 27.5 percent are obese, according to new statistics.
The southeast Queensland area of Darling Downs, known for its beef and cattle industry, is also the town with the most physically inactive residents, according to the statistics released by the Heart Foundation.
The towns of Dalby and St. George, both in Darling Downs, are considered the most obese areas. About 44 percent of its residents, or some 13,000 people, are not exercising, thus threatening their health.
Wagga Wagga and Griffith in the Riverina region in New South Wales, meanwhile, have the highest proportion of residents who are obese. At least 81 percent of its residents are not engaging in activities that promote a healthy body. The mayor of Wagga Wagga is reportedly surprised by the findings and said that the many conveniences offered in his city may be working against its residents, according to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald.
Eastern Sydney residents, on the other hand, are most exposed to physical activities like exercise. Only 14 percent of its residents are considered obese. Nearby cities like Glebe, Hornsby and Waterloo also received good marks.
In the Victoria region, Shepparton tips the obesity scale at 36 percent, with 77 percent of its residents deemed not involved in physical activities. On the other hand, Melbourne residents, including suburban towns like Fairfield and Essendon, are much leaner. Sydney's eastern suburbs have the best record of all Australian towns.
"Well, it's absolutely alarming in terms of their health and their own well-being and in terms of the risks they're placing themselves at for diseases such as heart disease, and that includes heart attacks, it can be diabetes and also certain types of cancer and stroke," Mary Barry, the president of the Heart Foundation, said in an interview with ABC.
"The recommended amount of physical activity for adults is 30 minutes a day and the recommendation for children under 15 is 60 minutes a day. And what we're finding is that over 50 percent of adults are not meeting that and eight out of 10 children are not meeting that guideline," added Barry.
In light of the observance of Heart Week from May 3 to May 9 in the country, the foundation is asking the government to review its Physical Activity Action Plan to curtail this rising problem.
