.jpeg)

Renters, mortgage-borrowers and regional Australians more likely to be overweight, obese: new report
Media Alert - 29 June 2021
A new report released today shows that Australians of working age who are paying off a mortgage or renting and those living in inner regional areas are more likely to be overweight or obese.
The report by the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) highlights the links between overweight and obesity and the circumstances in which Australians grow, live, work and age.The report found Australians paying off a mortgage or renting and those living in inner regional areas were 1.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese compared with homeowners and Australians living in major cities.
Australia is the fifth most overweight nation in the developed world according to the OECD. Around 12.5 million Australian adults (67%) and 1.2 million Australian children and adolescents (25%) are considered overweight or obese.
Unhealthy diets and weight are major contributors to coronary heart disease and poor health in Australia. Poor diet is responsible for more than half (62%) of the burden of coronary heart disease - Australia’s single biggest killer - and overweight and obesity is responsible for one quarter (25%).
Obesity has also been recognised as a major risk factor for severe outcomes after infection with COVID-19.
Heart Foundation Director of Health Strategy, Julie Anne Mitchell said while weight is influenced by the type and amount of food we eat and drink, and how much exercise we do, some Australians are at greater risk of being overweight or obese simply because of the environments in which they live, learn and work.
“Health inequities are avoidable. They start long before people get sick and happen when there is unequal access to education, housing, transport, food, reliable income, secure employment and good social support,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Chronic disease thrives on inequality and heart disease and its risk factors are no exception.
“Disadvantages in health, education and employment start early and reinforce each other over time, throughout a person’s life. But there are opportunities to change this, and we must start now.
“The National Obesity Strategy currently in development will be a critical framework for governments across all levels to begin addressing Australia’s obesity problem and the issues of disadvantage that contribute to it.
“Our submission to this strategy put a high priority on addressing issues of equity, food access and food security in urban, rural and remote areas of Australia.
“This includes measures such as improved healthy food access for people living in remote, rural and regional areas, Indigenous Australians and those from disadvantaged and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
If you're 45 and over, or 30 and over if you're of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you should book your Heart Health Check today...
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
With one Australian having a heart attack or stroke every 4 minutes, you have the power to change this statistic. ...
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Guidelines, publications and support for the health professional community....
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
The power of your ongoing support can help save lives and keep more families together. Help us continue to fund promising heart research projects by donating today. ...
One pot green goodness pasta
One pot green goodness pasta
One pot green goodness pasta
Snack recipes
Snack recipes
Snack recipes
Search for healthy snack ideas...
Create your fundraiser at Do it for Heart
Create your fundraiser at Do it for Heart
Create your fundraiser at Do it for Heart
Become a Heart Foundation fundraiser, do it for heart and make a real difference to your community....
Blood cholesterol
Blood cholesterol
Blood cholesterol
Keeping your blood cholesterol at a healthy level can help you reduce your risk of heart disease and other serious conditions. ...
Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery
Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery
Key healthy eating messages for heart attack recovery
Eating healthy foods can help you recover and reduce your risk of more heart problems. ...
One pan Greek salmon bake
One pan Greek salmon bake
One pan Greek salmon bake
5 warning signs of a heart attack that you may not know
5 warning signs of a heart attack that you may not know
5 warning signs of a heart attack that you may not know
Heart failure clinical resources
Heart failure clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
For Professionals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples information and resources
For Professionals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples information and resources
For Professionals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples information and resources
Resources for providing best practice cardiovascular care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples....
Using genomic data to improve the understanding, prevention and management of heart disease
Using genomic data to improve the understanding, prevention and management of heart disease
Dr Sonia Shah, Institution: The University of Queensland...
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Finding time for physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your heart...
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Join the fight against heart disease....
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is the broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. ...
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
FACILITATING INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL TRIALS ...
Heart Foundation Research Award Recipients
Heart Foundation Research Award Recipients
Explore our research award recipients and projects...
Environment, climate change and heart health
Environment, climate change and heart health
Environment, climate change and heart health
Information on how air pollution, heatwaves and bushfires can impact heart health, and what you can do to look after yourself. ...
Your heart medicines
Your heart medicines
Your heart medicines
Information about commonly prescribed heart medicines. ...
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
Clinical information and links to SCAD resources....
Our research stories
Our research stories
Our research stories
We fund amazing researchers who have important stories to tell...
Q&A with Dr Susie Cartledge
Q&A with Dr Susie Cartledge
Q&A with Dr Susie Cartledge
Breaking down the silos - a pathway from acute hospital care to cardiac rehabilitation ...
Heart stories
Heart stories
Heart stories
Stories of hope from Australian men and women fighting heart disease....
Tex Mex chicken burgers
Tex Mex chicken burgers
Tex Mex chicken burgers
Clinical resources: Coronary heart disease and mental health
Clinical resources: Coronary heart disease and mental health
The prevalence of depression is high in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD)....
Supporting Your Emotional Wellbeing: An Online Forum for Young Heart Patients
Supporting Your Emotional Wellbeing: An Online Forum for Young Heart Patients
Supporting Your Emotional Wellbeing: An Online Forum for Young Heart Patients
Asian recipes
Asian recipes
Asian recipes
Find heart healthy Asian recipes....