Queenslanders are being urged to take advantage of fresh, seasonal produce to help tackle the state’s biggest killer, obesity.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg announced chef Dominique Rizzo had been appointed an ambassador of the Healthier. Happier. obesity campaign, to encourage Queenslanders to cook healthy, nutritious food.
“Queenslanders have the unenviable title of being the fattest in the country and obesity is the leading preventable cause of premature death in the state,” Mr Springborg said.
“One of the major problems we have is most people don’t recognise that they are overweight or obese.
“Research from the Healthier. Happier. campaign shows 65 per cent of Queenslanders now fall into the overweight or obese category, but one third don’t realise it.”
Mr Springborg said the Newman Government was committed to helping Queenslanders make positive changes to their lifestyle to improve their wellbeing.
“Our government has taken a CanDo approach to addressing the obesity crisis through the $8.5 million Healthier. Happier. campaign and we will continue to provide the information and support needed to address this killer disease,” Mr Springborg said.
“Clearly the methods being used previously to address the issue haven’t been working, so we need to take a new approach.
“It is encouraging that so many people have embraced the campaign, with almost 120,000 having used the online calculator to find their health and fitness age.
“It is another way that we can revitalise frontline services as we promised at the election.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said Queensland produced some of the highest quality food in the world and it was time we used it to our advantage.
“From Bowen to the Locker Valley and all areas in between, virtually every Queenslander has fresh produce on their door step,” Mr McVeigh said.
“Throughout the festive season I encourage everyone to choose fresh, Queensland food, not only to support local growers, but to maintain a healthy body.”
As an ambassador for the Healthier. Happier. campaign, Dominique Rizzo has created a series of videos to show how easy it is to create meals at home.
“My absolute mission in life is to share my passion of food and cooking, to inspire people in the kitchen and encourage them to make healthy lifestyle choices that bring enjoyment and vitality into everyday living,” Ms Rizzo said.
Diabetes Queensland CEO Michelle Trute said type 2 diabetes is the world’s fastest growing chronic disease and Queenslanders weren’t immune with more than 60 new cases diagnosed every single day.
“This adds up to almost 180,000 Queenslanders living with type 2 diabetes and a further 450,000 who have the condition but are either undiagnosed or have pre-diabetes.” Ms Trute said.
To find out your health and fitness age visit http://healthier.qld.gov.au/
