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Report of the
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Health-related behaviours
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Report of the
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Health-related behaviours
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| Note: | The indicator includes those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher. The questions used to define the indicator were: How tall are you without shoes? and How much do you weigh without clothes or shoes? BMI is calculated as follows: BMI = weight (kg)/height˛(m). Categories for this indicator include overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9) and obese (BMI of 30 and over). Estimates are based on 33,609 respondents. 1550 (4.41%) were not stated (Don’t know or Refused) in NSW . LL/UL 95%CI = lower and upper limits of the 95% confidence interval for the point estimate. The boundaries for divisions of general practice are determined by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. There are currently 37 divisions of general practice in NSW. |
| Source: | NSW Population Health Survey (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health. |
High body mass was responsible for 9% of the total burden of disease in Australia in 2003, with Type 2 diabetes and ischaemic heart disease accounting for more than three-quarters of this burden (Begg et al., in press). Excess body fat increases the risk of developing a range of health problems including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, certain cancers, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, psychological disorders and social problems (AIHW, 2006).
The prevalence of overweight or obesity is measured in the NSW Population Health Survey by using self-reported height and weight in adults to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) (weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height). The BMI is classified into 4 categories: underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese.
In 2002 to 2004, the New South Wales Population Health Survey showed that residents of 3 urban and 9 rural divisions of General Practice reported significantly higher proportion of overweight and obesity than other divisions. The Divisions were: Macarthur, Nepean and Hawkesbury Division of General Practice among urban divisions and Hunter Rural, Shoalhaven, South East NSW, NSW Central West, Dubbo/Plains, Barwon, NSW Outback, North West Slopes NSW and Barrier among rural divisions of General Practice. Significantly lower proportions of overweight and obesity were reported by residents of 5 urban divisions. These were: Central Sydney, Eastern and South Eastern Sydney, Northern and Surherland Division of General Practice.
Divisions of General Practice are the key infrastructure for integrated, quality primary health care services delivered through general practice in Australia. A division of general practice is a group of general practitioners who work together to improve health outcomes at the local level. About 95% of general practitioners are members of their local division. There are currently 37 Divisions of General Practice in NSW and the peak body for these Divisions in NSW is the Alliance of NSW Divisions. The Alliance aims to support and enhance the work of NSW Divisions of General Practice particularly in the planning and implementation of health services at a state and national level (NSW Alliance website).
There are differences between local populations that divisions serve in terms of population size, age distribution, socioeconomic status, cultural background, and patterns of health service use. Because workloads and other resources differ, each division faces different challenges in improving health outcomes.
The NSW Department of Health has developed a strategic plan for population health, Healthy people 2010 (NSW Health, 2006). The strategy relating to reducing obesity will involve different levels of government, industry and the community working together to implement coordinated programs, services and infrastructure across the priority areas of schools, community, parents and childcare promoting healthy weight through increasing physical activity and encouraging healthy eating habits.
| For more information: |
Begg S, Vos T, Barker B. et al. The burden of disease and injury in Australia, 2003. Canberra: AIHW, in press. Available at www.aihw.gov.au/publications. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australia's health 2006. AIHW cat. no. AUS 73. Canberra: AIHW, 2006. Available at: www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10321 Alliance of NSW Divisions of General Practice website at www.adgp.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=1215. NSW Department of Health. Healthy People 2010. The population health strategy for New South Wales. Sydney: NSW Department of Health, 2006. |
| Print version: | Although this page can be printed directly from your Web browser, a higher quality version of this entire page (graph, table and text) is available as an Acrobat PDF file which can be printed or viewed on screen using free software. |
| Downloadable files: | The data contained in the table on this page are available for download as a CSV file which can be imported into many software packages. The graph is available for download as an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file and as an EMF (Enhanced Metafile Format) file. Files in these formats can be imported into most word processing, presentation and graphics software packages. |
| Copyright notice: | This work is copyright NSW Department of Health, 2006. It may be reproduced in whole or in part, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. Commercial usage or sale is prohibited. |
| Suggested citation: | Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales - Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. Available at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/chorep/beh/beh_bmi_gpdiv_urru.htm. Accessed (insert date of access). |
| Produced by: | Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health. |
| Last updated on: | 28 November 2006 |
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