Healthy Weight

Overweight and obesity is a serious, chronic medical condition, which is associated with a wide range of debilitating and life threatening conditions.

Recent studies estimate that 67% of Australian men and 52% of Australian women aged 25 years and over, are overweight or obese. Research shows that the adult obesity rates have more than doubled over the past twenty years.

Overweight and obesity is also a common health issue facing our children today. During the ten years from 1985-1995, the prevalence of overweight amongst Australian children doubled and the prevalence of obesity tripled. Alarmingly the research has shown that obese children have a 25-50% chance of progression to adult obesity and it may be as high as 78% in older obese adolescents.

The consequences of being overweight and obese are serious. Overweight and obese children are at risk of developing a range of health problems including, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and eventually cardiac disease. Many of these problems were once only seen in adults, but are now being seen in children today.

Since overweight and obesity poses such a major public health problem and because so many overweight children become overweight adults, this issue is a high priority for the North Coast Area Health Service. The problem needs to be addressed as a whole community approach with input from all sectors of society.

For people who want to lose weight, NSW Health offers a free information and coaching service to people over the age of 18 years who reside in NSW. Phone the Get Healthy Service on 1300 806 258 or visit the Get Healthy website

The North Coast Area Health Service has a range of healthy weight activities. More details are available on the Physical Activity, Healthy Eating and Schools and Preschools sections of this website.