Older, poorer and obese at risk of chronic disease

Obesity Review paper on chronic disease risks  [PDF]  (298.6K)

Wednesday, 13 May 2009

Chronic diseases among older, lower income and obese Australians have increased markedly in the past 15 years, according to University of Adelaide researchers.

Diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure have escalated among these groups since the 1990s, researchers from the University's School of Medicine have established after examining data from two Australian National Health Surveys.

Co-author Dr Evan Atlantis will present these findings at the 2009 Heart Foundation Conference in Brisbane this Thursday.

Early career research fellow Dr Atlantis and his colleagues, biostatistician Ms Kylie Lange and Professor Gary Wittert, Head of the University's School of Medicine, have co-authored a paper on their findings, recently published in the international journal Obesity Reviews.

Dr Atlantis says health surveys done in 1989-1990 and 2004-05 show that people aged 60 and over, those in the lowest 40% for income distribution and obese Australians are at much greater risk of chronic disease.

Dr Atlantis says the findings are concerning in light of Australia's ageing population, and require more research to understand why disease rates have increased in select groups.

"Roughly two-thirds of Australians are now at least overweight and/or don't engage in sufficient physical activity levels for health benefits. These Australians are likely to be hit hardest with rising rates of chronic diseases."

The University of Adelaide researcher is calling for government policies that influence the quality and content of Australia's food supply and increase opportunities for more recreational physical activity.

"These two areas are key to improving our nation's health," he says.

Dr Atlantis says Australians and other developed nations live in toxic environments where cheap and convenient food choices dominate.

"More research is needed to ascertain whether more affordable fresh fruits and vegetables and improved urban environments and work culture would encourage more Australians to make healthy lifestyle choices."

 

Contact Details

Dr Evan Atlantis
Email: evan.atlantis@adelaide.edu.au
Early Career Research Fellow
School of Medicine
The University of Adelaide
Mobile: +61 407 773 236


Professor Gary Wittert
Email: gary.wittert@adelaide.edu.au
Head of Discipline of Medicine, Medical Specialties
The University of Adelaide
Mobile: 0409 411 789


Mr David Ellis
Email: david.ellis@adelaide.edu.au
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/
Deputy Director, Media and Corporate Relations
External Relations
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 5414
Mobile: +61 (0)421 612 762