Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Portal Local News

Health - Addressing The Middle Aged Slump

Making our health a priority...

By Mike Foster - 15th October 2002 - Back to News

Middle-aged Australians currently do the least amount of regular exercise of all adult age groups across the country.

Australians between the age of 40 and 59 will be targeted in the Active Australia Day 2002 campaign to "Play it Again!" and get back into sport, as recent research shows there is a middle-aged slump in their physical activity levels.

Active Australia Day 2002 spokesperson and champion marathon runner Robert de Castella says less than 50 percent of Australians in this age bracket exercise regularly.

"We are fatter and less fit than ever before and this trend must be addressed now, for the sake of future health costs to individuals and families," Mr de Castella says. "The middle-age is a busy time with family and work commitments, but we must make our health a priority."

"More than 8000 people die in Australia each year from disease directly related to lack of physical activity.

"Statistics reveal a health cost to the community in excess of $400 million a year related to a lack of physical activity in this county.

"I call on all Australians to take up the Active Australia Day 2002 challenge and join a sporting club and commit to regular physical activity – make Sunday 27 October the day you change your life for the better."

Councils, Sporting clubs, fitness centres and schools around Australia are running events on Active Australia day, Sunday 27 October, to make it easy for Australians to come and try a sport.

Physical activity levels – based on recommended 150mins in previous week

Source: "Getting Australia Active" 2002

Active Australia Day on Sunday 27 October, 2002 is an Australian Sports Commission initiative and forms part of the Federal Government’s sports policy Backing Australia’s Sporting Ability – A More Active Australia. Active Australia Day is delivered by the Leisure Australia Foundation and sponsored by VIP Home Services.

For more information on Active Australia Day 2002 visit www.activeaustraliaday.com

Latest statistical information on health and exercise

• Physical inactivity doubles your chance of developing cardiovascular disease (World Heart Federation and Australian Institute of Health of Welfare)
• Australians exercising sufficiently for health has declined significantly from 62 percent sufficiently active in 1997 to 57 percent sufficiently active in 2000 (Active Australia Survey)
• 67 percent of Australian adult men and 50 percent of Australian adult women are classed as overweight (Norton.K, Harten.N, Martin.M and Dollman.J)
• Since 1970 there has been a dramatic acceleration in the proportion of overweight children. Childhood obesity is now considered to be an epidemic. (Norton.K, Harten.N, Martin.M and Dollman.J)
• 25 percent of all Australian children are now classed as overweight (Norton.K, Harten.N, Martin.M and Dollman.J)
• In the last 5 years there has been a 7 percent increase (from 31 to 38 percent) in the number of executives who are physically inactive (Australia’s Health, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
• The average 12 year old boy weighs 46kg today, 2kg more than in 1985. The average 12 year old girl is 3kg heavier (SmartStart survey)
• Childhood obesity has tripled in the last decade (Australian Medical Association)
• Women are 20 percent less likely to report leisure time physical activity than men (Getting Australia Active Report)

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
  The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
• New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
  Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment.
• New Heart Morass watering infrastructure strengthens Gippsland Lakes wetland health and protects freshwater flows for future generations
  New watering infrastructure at Heart Morass enables controlled freshwater flows, reducing salinity and supporting wetland health, wildlife habitat and long-term resilience across the Gippsland Lakes.
• New Bairnsdale footpath to improve access between Princes Highway and key health and community facilities
  A new 280-metre concrete footpath will link Bairnsdale’s Princes Highway with key health and community facilities, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, with construction beginning September 21 and lasting six weeks.
• Gippsland Water backs biochar research to transform biosolids into sustainable soil health and waste management solutions
  Gippsland Water is supporting national research into converting wastewater biosolids into biochar, aiming to improve soil health, advance sustainable waste management, and assess contaminant destruction, including PFAS, through innovative recycling.
• Nationals and Liberals unveil $40M plan to strengthen Gippsland's regional health workforce and services
  The Nationals and Liberals propose a $40 million rural health workforce scheme, offering incentives up to $10,000 for relocation and accommodation to attract healthcare professionals to regional Victoria.
• Parma for a Farmer returns to Poowong, bringing free food, laughter, community and mental health support on 17 September 2026
  Parma for a Farmer returns to the Poowong Hotel on September 17, offering local farmers and workers a free meal, comedy, connection and conversations supporting mental health and wellbeing.
• Latrobe City Council will push six reforms addressing regional investment, housing, infrastructure, funding fairness and sustainability at MAV State Council
  Latrobe City Council will take six reform proposals to the MAV State Council, targeting fairer funding, housing, planning, investment, infrastructure and support for regional communities.
• Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
  East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks.
• Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
  New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care.