Healthy Weight Week celebrated in January
Reduce your risk of chronic disease by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle was the key message coming out of Healthy Weight Week, held in the last week of January.
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, helped to kick off Healthy Weight Week by calling on the community to get active, eat well and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
“Keeping people out of hospital is a key focus for the Gillard Government and we want to support Australians to lead healthier lifestyles and reduce the burden on our health system,” Ms Roxon said.
“Australia has the world’s fifth-highest rate of adult obesity and with more than 60% of adults and 25% of children either overweight or obese, there has never been a more important time to tackle preventable diseases,” Ms Roxon said.
“Healthy Weight Week is encouraging all Australians to eat better, feel better and move more now!
“We know that preventative health measures work, that’s why the Gillard Government established the Australian National Preventive Health Agency and we are investing more than $870 million in prevention, the largest single investment ever of its kind.
“Already, government campaigns like Measure Up and community prevention initiatives such as healthy cooking classes, community vegetable gardens, walking and bike tracks are making a difference around the country.”
The Australian National Preventive Health Agency will lead the fight against preventable diseases through preventive health initiatives targeting obesity, along with alcohol, tobacco and other substance abuse.
Healthy Weight Week is organised by the Dietitians Association of Australia http://www.healthyweightweek.com.au
