Smoking and risky drinking rates down, but still too many Australians overweight or obese

ABS National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15

The latest national health survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that smoking and risky alcohol consumption rates are down among Australian adults, but too many adults and children still fall into the overweight and obese category.
AMA Vice President, Dr Stephen Parnis, said today that some of the survey rates are encouraging, but it is clear that much more work needs to be done by individuals, communities, and governments on preventative health programs and activities.
“The message from this survey is clear – Australians have to get moving,” Dr Parnis said.
“The fact that smoking kills is clearly getting through to people, with the number of daily adult smokers at 14.5 per cent, which is down from 16 per cent in 2011-12. Australia’s world-leading tobacco plain packaging legislation has contributed to this decline.
“While the number of adults who drink alcohol in excess of recommended guidelines is down to 17.4 per cent from 19.5 per cent in 2011-12, the broad range of alcohol harms continue to wreak havoc on families and communities.
“We cannot be complacent about alcohol because one in four men and one in ten women are still exceeding the lifetime risk guidelines.
"But the area where has been little or no improvement is obesity.
“In 2014-15, 63.4 per cent of Australian adults – 11.2 million people – were overweight or obese, up from 56.3 per cent in 1995.
“More disturbingly, around one in four children aged 5-17 years were overweight or obese.
“Nearly one in three 18-64 year olds were insufficiently active (less than 150 minutes of moderate physical activity in the last week, while 14.8 per cent were inactive (no exercise in the last week).”
Dr Parnis said there is an urgent need to put the spotlight back on prevention.
“The Government is currently reviewing the Medicare Benefits Schedule, primary care, and private health insurance,” Dr Parnis said.
“In the midst of all these reviews, there should be a greater emphasis on the preventative aspects of health care.
“Investing in prevention pays big dividends. It keeps people healthy and away from costly hospital care.
“We need to do more to make Australians more aware of their diets, their exercise regime, and the serious health risks of smoking and excessive or irresponsible alcohol consumption.”
The ABS Survey found that the major long-term health conditions experienced in Australia in 2014-15 were: