In an effort to combat obesity, the Australian government is set to hand out 700,000 specially designed measuring tapes to doctors, health centres and the general public. Recently out-eating the US to claim the fattest nation in the world title, Australia currently has over 9 million obese and overweight adults, which accounts for around 44% of its population.
The measuring tapes are color coded to indicate a healthy or at risk waist size, green for lean and red for spread. Although the tapes are not entirely accurate in diagnosing obesity, excess waist fat is a good indicator of internal fat deposits which lead to a number of health risks, including heart disease.
As part of the thirty million dollar ‘Measure Up’ campaign, Australian health officials hope the measuring tapes will drive obese citizens into a healthier lifestyle.
Nicola Roxon, Australian Minister for Health and Planning states:
For most Australians a waist measurement of over 94 centimetres for men and 80 centimetres for women means you are at increased risk of developing a chronic disease. If your waist measurement is over 102 centimetres for men and 88 centimetres for women, your risk greatly increases.
[via Sydney Morning Herald]
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