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Obesity deadlier than smoking

Obesity has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of premature death and illness in Australia, according to the lead article in the West Australian newspaper on 9th April 2010. Fat is rapidly becoming the biggest public health challenge that Australia has to face.

More than 60% of Australian adults and a quarter of children are overweight of obese. The contribution of excessive weight to ill health has more than doubled in 6 years.

"The obesity crisis is not on its way, it's already here", according to Professor Mike Daube, president of the Public Health Association of Australia.

Insufficient exercise is a principal cause of obesity. Cycling used to be a common form of regular exercise for many people but helmet laws in Australia have discouraged the healthy activity.

Thu 8 Apr 2010

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