ESSA spotlights a need to reshape the way Australians view obesity

On World Obesity Day (4th March), Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) would like to reshape the way Australia views obesity and change the way this health issue is addressed, prevented and treated within our community.

With over 30% of the Australian population reported as being overweight or living with obesity, ESSA highlights the importance of understanding the power of exercise and movement is becoming more and more relevant.

ESSA Chief Executive, Anita Hobson-Powell notes “Obesity has become today’s most visible, yet most neglected, public health problem. This is despite the staggering increase in the number of individuals who are at risk of, or are obese.”

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in three Australian adults were obese in 2017-18, which is an increase from one in five in 1995.

Hobson-Powell adds “being overweight and obese is linked to numerous chronic diseases, including CVD, diabetes, many forms of cancer, and numerous musculoskeletal problems. Yet, we continue to see a lack of support from the government in providing easy access to accredited exercise professionals, as well as misled attitudes towards exercise by Aussies.

“Exercise is by far the cheapest and most accessible form of prevention and management of obesity. Plus, there are many great reasons to be physically active - most of them have nothing to do with weight loss.

“We constantly see a fixation on weight loss and exercise used as a punishment. We want to shift this thinking to create long-term healthier habits. Exercise should be about increasing muscle mass, strength and overall fitness, as well as improving mental health, sleep and mood. Exercise should be part of our daily lives, and that in turn will help reduce visceral fat and promote healthy weight loss.”

For people who are inactive for a long period of time, starting exercise can be overwhelming and should be supervised by an accredited exercise professional to make sure that they are exercising safely.

Hobson-Powell advises “an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) are university-trained exercise professionals who are best placed to support anyone on their exercise journey. AEPs are uniquely trained in motivation and finding the ‘why’ that will help people stick to their goals.

“Ultimately, exercise should become a part of a person’s daily routine and should be something that gives fulfillment and enjoyment - not just about weight loss. Pick the activities you enjoy, make exercise fun and make it social so that it’s easier to create a healthy habit of moving every day.”

For more information on ESSA and finding an Accredited Exercise Physiologist go to www.essa.org.au