Interesting facts about health, fitness and weight

  • To calculate your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. This helps to calculate where your weight sits in the following categories.
    For example, 60kg divided by (1.65m x 1.65m) would give a BMI of 22(normal weight range).

    • Underweight - below 18.5
    • Normal weight - 18.5 to 24.9
    • Overweight - 25 to 29.9
    • Obese - 30 or greater


    BMI is an indication of body fat, but does not take into account factors such as older people who may have lost muscle mass, people with physical disabilities who are unable to walk and may have muscle wasting, people who have a muscular body build such as athletes and pregnant women. It applies primarily to people of Caucasian background and therefore those of a different racial heritage should consider this when calculating their BMI.

  • Pie chart showing overweight and obese

    54% of Australians aged 18 years of age and over are classified as overweight or obese. Of these, only half of them believe they actually are overweight or obese.
    Source: ABS National Health Survey 2007.

  • 7.4 million Australians over the age of 18 are overweight or obese.
    Source: ABS National Health Survey 2007.

  • If you are overweight, a realistic expectation of weight loss is 5-10% of your initial body weight.
    Source: Goldsbury, L. 2008 Weight loss your gain. Postscript Jan-Feb p38-41.

  • Adults who are classified as overweight or obese (and are physically inactive) are nearly 3 times as likely to have Type II diabetes and almost twice as likely to have high blood pressure than adults who are not overweight or obese
    Source: ABS National Health Survey 2007.

  • Obesity is linked to a number of health risks including the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, sleep apnoea and osteoarthritis, as well as being linked to reduced life expectancy.
    Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2004. Health, Wellbeing & Body Weight. Bulletin March 13.

  • It is estimated that obesity and related illnesses cost Australians $21 billion in 2005.
    Source: ABS National Health Survey 2007.

  • Montage of good and bad food

    On average, how long do you need to exercise to burn off those kilojoules?




    Some practical examples:

    • 1 chocolate muffin = 25 min brisk walking
    • 1 bucket hot chips = 1 hour of vacuuming
    • 400g of lasagne = 70 min of swimming
    • 100g packet of chips = 45 min run

    Source: www.therightbalance.com.au

  • An extra 10 minute walking every day can add up to an extra 300 km walked in a year. For more great ideas on making healthy food choices and being more active, check out www.condorhealth.com.au/HeartWeek_Tables_2004.pdf

  • Glass of wine

    Drinking one glass (200ml) of red or white wine is the equivalent kilojoules of drinking one whole AlphaSlim shake!
     
     
     
     
     

  • Australian research has shown that people who eat breakfast have more nutritious diets and healthier eating habits as they are less likely to snack throughout the day
    Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. Breakfast Fact Sheet.

  • Some fats are good for you. Eating food containing small amounts of polyunsaturated or monosaturated fats can reduce the cholesterol in your blood.
    Source: www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/_files/n31.pdf