A new report has shown Australian diet and lifestyle choices are putting us at risk of serious disease.

While the figures show young Australians are smoking less, as a nation our waistlines are growing.

Melissa Yeo reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Today’s report compared age groups over time for key health risk factors including weight and obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Figures show Australians are now living a more sedentary lifestyle with increases in weight and waist circumference across all age groups.

The largest increase has been among females aged 12 to 44.

Aloysa Hourigan, Nutrition Australia: “In our daily lives we’re sitting in front of screens more and there’s no doubt that as technology moves along our physical activity is going down.”

The study found physical inactivity accounts for 7% of the burden of disease in Australia and can contribute to increases in blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.

Vox 1: “You see a lot more children overweight these days and the cause would be watching too much TV and not getting out enough.”

Vox 2: “Fast food. People are lazy. Nobody cooks anymore.”

Vox 3: “We don’t do enough to encourage young kids to get out and play sports and things these days.”

The study revealed that 7 in 10 adults were physically inactive but though the figures may be grim, the experts assure that small steps go a long way in making lifestyle changes.

Sarah Hazzard, Owner, Suburban Bootcamps: “People need to start supporting people who are trying to make a lifestyle change.”

Experts say moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day and 5 serves of vegetables and 2 of fruit are the key for a healthy lifestyle.

Melissa Yeo, QUT News.