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Population survey provides snapshot of Victoria’s health

Victorians do not eat enough fruit and vegetables and more are becoming obese or developing diabetes.

‘We’ve improved our smoking habits, have kept steady on abusing alcohol and maintained a reasonable level of physical fitness,’ said Minister for Health David Davis.

‘Most of us think we’re on top of our personal health with more than eight in 10 Victorians reporting their health as excellent, very good or good.’

Releasing the Victorian Population Health Survey 2009, Mr Davis said the snapshot, based on a detailed survey of around 7,500 adults, showed there were areas where all could do better.

Mr Davis said the Government encouraged all Victorians to turn around unhealthy lifestyles through the $100 million Prevention Community Model, targeting more than a million people through targeted health plans in 14 selected municipalities and with general programs across the state.

The Victorian Population Health Survey has been conducted every year since 2001.

‘Just 52 per cent of the people surveyed for the current report met the recommended minimum daily intake of three or more serves of fruit,’ Mr Davis said.

‘And less than one in 10 met the target of five or more serves of vegetables each day.

‘While the proportion of men and women who were overweight has remained constant between 2003 and 2009, the prevalence of obesity has increased over the period.

‘I’m pleased to see fewer than one in five adults aged 18 years or over were regular smokers in 2009, down from a high of 24.1 per cent in 2001.

‘The reduction in smoking rates shows people, when given support, can and do take control of their own health and lifestyle and take positive steps to improve their wellbeing.

Mr Davis said other findings of the survey included:

•             Older people were more likely than the young to eat the recommended servings of vegetables – and women were better than men;

•             Just 19.1 per cent of Victorian adults abstained from alcohol in the previous 12 months. This comprised 23.6 per cent of women and 14.2 per cent of men;

•             Some 20.2 per cent of males smoked daily or occasionally, compared with 17 per cent of females;

•             63.4 per cent of males and females reported sufficient levels of physical activity to meet the national guidelines;

•             The proportion of people who ate the recommended servings of vegetables fell from 11.6 per cent in 2003 to 8.1 per cent in 2009. At the same time, the proportion of people who ate the recommended servings of fruit rose from 50.6 per cent to 52 per cent;

•             The proportion of people who were members of a sports group fell from 28.2 per cent in 2003 to 24.8 per cent in 2009.

Mr Davis said the survey showed most Victorian men and women were engaging in sufficient physical activity to achieve a health benefit from their exertions.

‘Physical activity and a healthy lifestyle is a major contributor to reducing a range of illnesses and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers and obesity,’ Mr Davis said.