Physical inactivity
Most recent releases
Living
dangerously: Australians with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Released 24 Feb 2005
A rising epidemic: obesity
in Australian children and adolescents
Released Oct 2004
Health,
wellbeing and body weight: characteristics of overweight and obesity in
Australia, 2001
Released 4 Mar 2004
Obesity
trends in older Australians
Released 12 Feb 2004
Are all
Australians gaining weight? Differentials in overweight and obesity among
adults, 1989-90 to 2001
Released 10 Dec 2003
A growing
problem. Trends and patterns in overweight and obesity among adults in
Australia, 1980 to 2001
Released 12 Sep 2003
Popular titles
 Australia's health 2008 |
 Australia's welfare 2007 |
Low levels of physical activity are a major risk factor for ill health and mortality from all causes. People who do not do sufficient physical activity have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, colon and breast cancers, Type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. Being physically active improves mental and musculoskeletal health and reduces other risk factors such as overweight, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
More information on the importance of physical activity is available in the reports Getting Australia Active and Getting Australia Active II (published by the National Public Health Partnership in 2002 and 2004 respectively). These documents are available from the web site of the NPHP.
How much is enough?
The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians (129K PDF) (published in 1999 by the then Department of Health and Aged Care) recommend that Australians put together at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. For extra health and fitness, the guidelines recommend enjoying some regular, vigorous exercise as well.
See the FAQs page for information on measuring participation in physical activity.
For more information go to the web sites of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing or Active Australia, or see the US Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health (published in 1996).
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How many Australians are insufficiently active?
The National Physical Activity Survey reports against the levels of leisure-time physical activity recommended to achieve health benefits (called sufficient physical activity here). Sufficient activity to obtain a health benefit is defined as the accrual of at least 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of at least moderate-intensity physical activity over at least five sessions in the week before interview.
Data from the 2000 National Physical Activity Survey showed:
- Over 7 million Australians aged 18-75 years (54%) did not undertake sufficient physical activity to obtain a health benefit. Over 2 million of these (15% of people aged 18-75 years) were sedentary, that is they did no physical activity in their leisure-time.
- Overall, men and women were equally likely to participate at sufficient levels of activity for health benefits (46% and 45%). Younger people were more likely to undertake sufficient physical activity.
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The Active Australia Survey
The Active Australia Survey is designed to measure participation in leisure-time physical activity and to assess knowledge of current public health messages about the health benefits of physical activity. See The Active Australia Survey: a guide and manual for implementation, analysis and reporting for more information.