The cost o physical inactivityWhat is the lack oparticipation in physical activity costing Australia? August 2007 • Physically inactive Australian adults are costing the healthcare system an avoidable $1.5 billion a year • Almost 9 million Australian adults do not do enough physical activity on a daily basis • Not doing enough physical activity doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, T ype 2 diabetes, and obesity, and increases the risk of breast and bowel cancer, depression and anxiety
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To calculate the gross cost o physicalinactivity this research measured the impact
o physical inactivity on each o the seven
medical conditions.
To estimate the proportion o the incidence o
each medical condition that may be attributable
to physical inactivity a ormula was used to
calculate the Population Attributable Risk (PAR)
o each condition.
The PAR puts a value on the incidence o
medical conditions amongst physically inactive
Australian adults compared with physically
active Australian adults.
It calculates the maximum proportion o the
seven conditions attributable to physical
inactivity, which shows the potential reduction
in the prevalence o a disease or incident that
could be achieved i the Australian adult
population were more physically active.
For example, it is estimated that nearly
950,000 6 Australian adults aged over 25 have
diabetes. According to this research, up to
20% o this gure could be attributed to
physical inactivity.
Physical inactivity doubles the risk of cardiovasculardisease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity, and increases the
risk of breast and bowel cancer, depression and anxiety 4.
4 WHO (2002). Risks to health-promoting healthy living. World health report, pp 60.5 World Health Organisation (2003), Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.6 Australian Institute o Health and Welare, Australia’s health 2006, pg.70.
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