To improve healthy living, we will focus on:
- Increase physical activity and healthy eating
- Decrease smoking
Increase physical activity and healthy eating
This priority area includes promoting diets which are healthy, sustainable and are safe in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. A nutritious diet and adequate food supply are central for promoting health and wellbeing.
Excess intake, particularly of ‘discretionary foods’, contributes to the risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, some cancers and dental caries. A diet in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines will help reduce the risk of overweight and obesity, heart disease and certain cancers.
Poor levels of physical activity and high levels of sedentary behaviour are major risk factors for ill health and mortality from all causes.
People who do not do sufficient physical activity have a greater risk of other health issues, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Colon and breast cancers
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
Being physically active is also a protective factor for mental and musculoskeletal health and reduces other risk factors such as overweight, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
A healthy diet and physical activity are important protective factors for a healthy weight, as well as many other health conditions mentioned.
Decrease smoking
Smoking rates have had significant improvements over the past 30 years, and Australia is experiencing an incredible culture change to counter the drivers of smoking.
Tobacco still accounts for 25% of all deaths and is strongly linked to stroke and cardiovascular disease. It is a major cause of poor health.
There is still a significant proportion of our population who continue to smoke on a daily basis. The rate of decline has not been experienced equally. Vulnerable groups are over represented in smoking statistics, highlighting a need for a more specific and targeted approach to increasing smoking cessation in Wellington. These vulnerable groups include Aboriginal people, people who experience psychological distress, people with a lower level of education, people who live in rural areas and people on low incomes or who are unemployed.