We all know that obesity is becoming a more and more costly burden for Australia’s health system, However, the recent NSW Health Annual report (2006/07) highlights the extent of the program. Highlights can be found at the ABC News site.

The report showed that nearly half of the adults within NSW are categorised as overweight or obese. This included 20% being categorised as obese. This is an extremely high percentage but not surprising given the upward trend of in obesity in recent years and the fact that more than half the adult population does not undertake ‘adequate physical activity’.

In addition to the rising health care costs required to cover this growing burden, other associated costs also highlight the extent of the problem. In 2007, the NSW Ambulance Service purchased three trucks which will be used to transport patients weighing more than 160kg. They now have a further two trucks on order.

Further research indicates that women who are overweight when they fall pregnant, or while pregnant, affect the weight of their child. A mother’s diet during pregnancy can determine the appetite and energy expenditure of their offspring. So not only do mothers need to eat well for their own health, but also for the health of their children.

Put simply, obesity is the result of sufferer’s consuming more energy than they are expending. The simple answer it eat less (or more wisely) and move more. However, this is a challenge for many who first need appropriate information to assist them to make the correct decisions relating to their health.

Hopefully we see a turn, or at least a plateau, in this trend of increasing obesity rates.

Over the past few days I have been preparing for an upcoming presentation on the findings of a corporate wellness program that FitSense Australia has recently run. In reviewing the results of this program it highlighted to me how we all too often view specific aspects of an individuals health as being isolated. For example, an individual may be ‘categorised’ as suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure) and thus a plan is put in place to address this.

The question then has to be raised as to the effectiveness of specific actions like this. While an individual may have high blood pressure and a specific plan (or medication) may assist, the implementation of a more holistic health and fitness plan will surely prove more beneficial.

While we may segregate health into a number of areas (such as body composition, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc), the relationship between many of these areas is very close and thus interrelated. Quite often a more holistic health program will assist in improving these health risk factors and also their cause.

Many modifiable risk factors come back to an individuals level of physical activity and diet. The inability to address these may result in ongoing health issues.