International No Diet Day
The Australian Medical Association supports calls for people of all ages to recognise risk factors associated with inappropriate dieting and poor body image and to incorporate healthy eating and more physical activity into their daily life.
On International No Diet Day, Chair of the AMA's Public Health Committee, Dr Bill Pring, today said raising community awareness through events like No Diet Day assists to spread awareness of the health risks associated with inappropriate dieting and the consequences of poor body image.
"Doctors help by educating patients on the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating, but the community needs to do more.
"Weight loss dieting is common, particularly among women. Australian figures reveal that up to 92 percent of young women and 44 percent of middle aged women diet to lose weight.
"The body benefits from eating in a healthy and nutritionally balanced way, unlike fad or crash 'diets', which are often not nutritionally balanced and do not promote health eating habits," Dr Pring said.
Dr Pring said medical practitioners play a vital primary health care role in educating patients on the advice included in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the National Physical Activity Guidelines.
The AMA further calls for increased government commitment to public education on the association between diet, physical activity and health, and the health risks associated with eating disorders.
"It is a responsibility of the medical profession, with other health professionals and the community, to develop a greater awareness of body image issues as part of a holistic approach to healthy living.
"A healthier body leads to a healthier appreciation of that body," Dr Pring said.
For further information visit www.internationalnodietday.com
CONTACT: Dr Bill Pring (0418) 109 858
- Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076