“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease” … Hippocrates
A World Health Organisation report on non communicable diseases (NCD) in 2011 sited unhealthy diet as one of the four main behavioural risk factors that contribute to NCDs. The other 3 were smoking, lack of physical activity and harmful use of alcohol.
In WHO’s 2010 report, NCDs were identified as the largest cause of death worldwide and noted that more than 25% of these deaths occurred before the age of 60 and for the most part could have been prevented.
The Australian statistics from this same report showed that 90% of all deaths were caused by NCDs; that physical inactivity was more than twice as likely to be a cause of disease than smoking; and overweight was the highest metabolic risk factor.
Physical activity and overweight must be two of the areas of our lives over which we could have the most control.
Notwithstanding socio-economic factors that impact behaviour, Australia rates as a country with high income and has programs in place and funding available to address the issue of NCDs. The opportunity exists for us all to be successful in health.
It is time for each of us as individuals to take ownership of the body that we inhabit and be responsible for its state of wellness.
So what can we do?
I was prompted by my visiting Chinese neighbour last weekend to introduce her to Australian ‘cuisine’. I was stumped! So I googled it.
It became apparent that the real challenge for Australia may not lie in the difficulties that come from unemployment, remote living, bushfire, flood, drought and other disasters that befall us, but rather in the items we claim, and make as part of our culture.
Our top 3 adored foods include Pavlova (aka sugar); Chiko roll (ingredients unknown) and Meat Pie (brilliant if home made with slow cooked beef and gluten free, sugar free crust, but potentially otherwise just a little packet of unidentified processed meat product - aka unknown).
Further research identified our cultural staples to include such wonders as Iced Vovos, Fantales, Lamingtons, Anzac Biscuits, Splice Ice Creams, Nenish Tarts and of course Vegemite. Put simply we love sugar - vegemite is an exception. Add to that the prevalence to celebrate everything, including the mowing of the lawn, with alcohol of some kind and you start to get a picture of why our NCD risk factors are so high.
What you can do:
- Get a FITBIT! Numerous people are now tracking their daily footsteps, with surprising results. On average, ‘normal’ activity delivers around 5,000 steps a day. This is based on an office job from 9 - 5 and activities of daily living getting from here to there. The recommended average should be around 10,000 and this is one case where more is definitely better. Walking more offers benefits of improved cardiovascular health, improved joint health, and improved sense of wellbeing. Get more out of it by going outdoors and breathing in some fresh air, and if your dog comes along too then there’s possibly a bit of oxytocin thrown in to make you feel better about the whole thing.
- Visit the FARM! Everyone loves sweet things, just remember they are intended for occasional use. Next time you go to the supermarket, see if you can try to shop as if you were visiting a farm. Leave the packets on the shelves and shop for natural produce. Look for free range eggs and meat, vine ripened tomatoes and organic grown veggies where possible. Can you try life on the farm for a week or 2?
We live in one of the most amazing countries in the world. We enjoy freedom and liberties that are unheard of in some parts of the planet. We have abundant resources from nature and the opportunity to do great things and live rich and interesting lives as we explore the world around us. Take control today and prioritise your physical activity and your personal health to reduce the risk of becoming an NCD statistic.
