(24-01-06) National snapshot of obesity

Kate Jones - 24jan06

DOCTORS have warned overweight Australians to control their expanding waistlines.

It comes as a survey of 300 GPs reveals half of all patients are either overweight or obese.
A lack of commitment, motivation and willpower were to blame for being overweight, according to 43 per cent of the doctors ACNielsen surveyed.
The poll found GPs are increasingly recommending weight management plans to their patients.
Exercise was recommended by 99 per cent of those surveyed while 96 per cent advised patients to eat healthy foods.
Four in five doctors recommended slimming medication but the majority agreed that using drugs alone could not guarantee weight loss.
Australia is in the midst of an obesity epidemic with one in five Australians obese or overweight.
Obesity can be deadly with related illnesses including cardiac disease, diabetes and high-blood pressure.
Western suburbs GP Dr Hadia Haikal-Mukhtar, who is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, said she has seen a rising number of overweight patients.
"About half of the adults I see are either overweight or obese," she said.
She said she assesses these patients and advises them to undertake an individual weight-loss plan.
"I emphasise that it's not going to be a quick-fix solution," she said.
"Every case is a case by case approach."

Source: Herald and Weekly Times
www.heraldsun.news.com.au

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