Poor food choices and a lack of exercise are helping make Wyndham residents among the most obese in Melbourne.
Statistics from the state Health Department’s most recent population health survey, conducted in 2012, reveal that Wyndham had the second-highest rate of obesity in Melbourne, with 23.6 per cent of its population considered obese.
Melton had the highest obesity rate in Melbourne (26.1 per cent), while the state average was 17.3 per cent.
The survey found that since the previous survey, in 2008, the number of Wyndham males considered obese had risen from 23.9 per cent to 27 per cent, while female obesity rose from 18.9 per cent to 20.4 per cent.
Wyndham residents recorded low levels of fruit and vegetable consumption, with 95.7 per cent of people not eating the recommended five serves of vegetables each day. The number of residents eating insufficient fruit was 62.2 per cent.
The survey found that a third of Wyndham residents did not perform enough physical exercise.
The findings come as Wyndham council throws its support behind a campaign encouraging residents to “live lighter”. The campaign, which has the support of Cancer Council Victoria and the Heart Foundation, targets areas such as Wyndham that are experiencing higher than average rates of obesity.
The Obesity Policy Coalition, which comprises a raft of health groups, has raised concerns about the impact that rising obesity levels are having on the health of Wyndham residents.
Executive manager Jane Martin said the full impact of obesity on rates of chronic diseases, such as cancer and type 2 diabetes, was yet to be fully understood. She said it was important for residents to eat healthy diets and lead active lives.
Heart Foundation cardiovascular health director Kellie-Ann Jolly said a lack of exercise was putting people at risk of heart disease.
“There are a lot of ticking time bombs,” she said. “People don’t know they’re at significant risk of heart disease.
“We are alarmed by the number of people who are walking around with these risks and not realising it.
“High blood pressure and cholesterol are silent problems. They don’t have symptoms, so it’s important to get them checked to monitor your risk of heart disease.”
