Tasmanians encouraged to Get Active

Tasmanian Premier and Minister for Sport and Recreation Will Hodgman is encouraging Tasmanians to get involved the 2014 Medibank Active Tasmania Awards.

Being offered for the 11th year, the Awards highlight the importance of physical activity and share great examples of how communities can get active.

The Awards provide $30,000 to acknowledge the role played by Local Governments, schools and not-for-profit community organisations in promoting and facilitating physical activity.

Urging Tasmanians to help promote physical activity, Premier Hodgman stated “initiatives like the Medibank Active Tasmania Awards play an important role in highlighting the benefits of physical activity to the Tasmanian community.

“It is this Government's target to ensure Tasmania has the healthiest population in Australia by 2025.”

Active schools, communities and councils throughout Tasmania can nominate for the 2014 Medibank Active Awards, with nominations closing on Friday 8th August.

For more information go to www.getmoving.tas.gov.au

Premier Hodgman’s backing for the Awards comes on the back of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data that shows Tasmanian youngsters aged 16 to 17 years have the highest rates of obesity in the country.

According to the ABS health survey 2011/12, 40.8% of Tasmanians aged 16 to 17 are overweight or obese, compared to a national average for the group of 25.3%.

The data shows the jump in body weight is sudden in Tasmania as about 26.5% of those aged five to 15 years fall within the overweight/obesity category.

Health experts say the teenage years mark a challenging time for maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits.

Life Be In It Tasmania Manager Stephen Dimsey said organised sport dropped off dramatically in the high school years as competitive teams became more selective and children were less likely to experiment with a variety of sports.

Dimsey said teenagers needed to be encouraged into non-competitive sports and activities where the emphasis was on enjoyment and participation.

He explained "we need to provide activities which are inclusive for all, without winners or losers.”

10th August 2012 - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITS $3.5 MILLION FOR HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES IN TASMANIA