Australia Measures Up and Faces Obesity

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]