Call for Bundy to get active

BUNDABERG health professionals are calling for the community to get active, saying obesity is a major problem in the region.

BUNDABERG health professionals are calling for the community to get active, saying obesity is a major problem in the region.

About 60% of Australians are obese and City Fit Gym assistant manager Dave Cooke said he believed sedentary lifestyles were the major cause.

“There are smaller backyards and more PlayStations,” he said.

“People are a lot less active these days.”

Diabetes Australia is calling for action following the release of research showing obesity has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of premature death and illness.

Along with other health organisations, DA is calling for a ban on junk food advertisements in the hopes it will reduce the number of consumers.

Mr Cooke said while a ban may help with reducing the obesity figures it needed to be paired with education and action.

“Lots of behaviour is learned from a young age,” he said.

“Most people know what is right and wrong but not everyone does it.”

BTransformed owner and health psychologist Katie Murrell agreed.

“Obesity is a huge problem in Bundaberg,” she said.

“I see it more and more every day.”

Ms Murrell said the cause came down to many factors.

“Our lifestyles have definitely changed. The amount of food people eat has increased and there is a lack of activity,” she said.

Ms Murrell said obesity could lead to many health complications including depression, diabetes and heart disease.

“The main thing to combat obesity is self control,” she said.

“People should be active every day.”

Ms Murrell said while banning junk food ads may help some families, it should not be necessary.

“It really starts in the home,” she said.

Originally published as Call for Bundy to get active