Healthy Active Australia – funding for a national nutrition and physical activity survey

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Why is this important?

• In 2004-05, 62 per cent of adult males and 45 per cent of females were classified as being either overweight or obese.

• Poor nutrition and physical activity leads to increased risk of serious conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, which currently affects around 1 million Australians, and cardiovascular disease, which currently affects around 3.5 million Australians.

• The first survey in the new program will provide much-needed, comprehensive data on adult Australians to better inform Commonwealth Government policies and programs to improve health behaviours.

Who will benefit?

• All Australians will potentially benefit from this measure, particularly those who are at risk of becoming overweight.

• This initiative will enable the Government to make decisions about food, nutrition and healthy lifestyle measures to help counter rising rates of obesity and chronic disease.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• The Commonwealth Government has committed $10.6 million over four years for the survey program.

What have we done in the past?

• The Commonwealth is contributing $2 million to a national children’s nutrition and physical activity survey that is currently underway.

• A national survey including adults was last conducted in 1995.

When will the initiative conclude?

• This is an ongoing initiative.