Healthy eating

by Sarah Westsmith

Fat is deposited on our bodies when the energy (kilojoules) we consume from food and drink is greater than the energy we use up in activities and at rest. Small imbalances over long periods of time can cause you to become overweight or obese. Obesity rates in Australia have more than doubled over the past 20 years.

Around seven million Australians are now overweight or obese. Estimates taken in the year 2000 suggest that, while more men are overweight than women (67 per cent compared to 52 per cent), obesity is more common among women (22 per cent) than men (18 per cent). The rates of overweight and obesity are rapidly increasing and it is estimated that, at the current rate of increase, about 75 per cent of the Australian population will be overweight or obese by 2020.

Obesity increases the risk of many chronic and potentially lethal diseases. Most of these diseases are preventable with attention to lifestyle factors including proper nutrition and regular exercise. Generally speaking, the more body fat you're carrying, the higher the risk to your health. However, it appears that the amount of weight gained throughout the adult years also contributes to the risk. For example, a middle-aged person who weighs 10kg more than they did in their early 20s has an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and coronary heart disease.