Researchers have found that one fourth of students in Australian secondary schools are either overweight or obese, affecting lifestyle and socioeconomic status.

The study, published in the February 20 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia – a publication of the Australian Medical Association, was funded by Cancer Councils around Australia and the National Heart Foundation.

The study examined 12,188 students and found that just under one quarter were either obese (5%) or overweight (18%). In addition, the researchers found that male students were more likely to be overweight or obese as were students who sleep less, do not exercise regularly, spend more time using electronic media, and come from a lower socioeconomic background.

The researchers explained:

“These findings suggest that preventative measures should include a particular focus on facilitating physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior, as well as promoting adequate sleep.”

In the same issue of the MJA, another investigation, by Professor David McIntype, head of Mater Clinical School, and his team found that as body mass index (BMI) increased in pregnant women, so did the prevalence of adverse outcomes and complications, such as:

  • gestational diabetes
  • perinatal mortality
  • hypertension in pregnancy
  • stillbirth
  • caesarean section
  • and neonatal mortality

In addition, they also found that as maternal BMI increased, so did preterm birth and neonatal morbidities including jaundice, respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia as well as neonatal intensive care unit admission.

The researchers said:

“Maternal BMI serves as a marker of pregnancy risk that can aid in the care of individual women and help plan appropriate allocation of maternity health care resources.”

Also in the same issue of MJA, Associate Professor Helen Skouteris and colleagues from the school of psychology at Deakin University Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, the University of Sydney, have requested that additional studies are needed on actual and optimal physical activity levels in preschoolers.

According to the authors, although international guidelines differ, Australian guidelines advise at least three hours of activity per day for preschoolers, however, some investigations have found that preschoolers are falling considerably short on the recommended 3 hours.

The researchers write:

“We argue that age groupings are needed because toddlers and preschoolers, school-aged children and adolescents are physiologically and developmentally different from each other. These developmental differences need to inform age-specific recommendations.”

In an associated report, Associate Professor Anthea Magarey from Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Medicine, at Flinders University, said obesity is a “non-age specific condition of increasing global prevalence.”

According to Magarey 68% of men, 55% of women, and 25% of children and adolescents in Australia are either overweight or obese. Magarey explains that a coordinated approach involving agencies and multiple sectors is vital.

Magarey said:

“While national and state-based programs are important initiatives, broader environmental change that encompasses urban design and infrastructure (e.g., safe streets, access to parks and pools in less affluent areas) is an essential element of the solution.”

In the same issue of the MJA, Winthrop Professor Daniel Green from the School of Sports Science, Exercise and Health at the University of Western Australia, explained that although an increasingly popular solution to weight loss is bariatric surgery, exercise still plays a vital role of the health equation for individuals who are overweight or obese.

The researchers highlight that even if no weight is lost through exercise, exercise could still increase lean body mass and skeletal muscle, and decrease progression to diabetes and cardiovascular risk and death.

Green, said:

“Medical professionals who deal with overweight and obesity should prescribe exercise because exercise is good for you, whether you lose weight or not.”

Written by Grace Rattue