By VANESSA VALENZUELA
NEARLY half of all residents living in Melbourne’s west are overweight or obese and more than 20 per cent are smokers, according to recent statistics.
A health atlas compiled by Bowel Cancer Australia shows information on a range of bowel cancer risk factors including smoking, physical inactivity and high alcohol consumption.
The figures reveal more than a quarter of residents in the West are overweight with Wyndham residents weighing in the most at 29.2 per cent followed closely by Hobsons Bay which recorded 29.1 per cent.
It found 18.3 per cent of Melton residents are classified as obese, with 18.1 per cent of Brimbank residents and 18 per cent of Maribyrnong residents also tipping the scales.
Bowel Cancer Australia Chief Executive Julien Wiggins said the data provided an opportunity for communities to focus attention on health behaviours that could be improved.
“Around 70 per cent of bowel cancer cases are linked to modifiable diet and lifestyle factors,” Mr Wiggins said.
“By adding these risk factors into our atlas, we’re hoping that people will have a look at how their community is faring and start to think hard about making any necessary changes.”
“Unfortunately, no-one can promise that if you do all the right things, you won’t get bowel cancer. We can’t change other factors such as our age or genetic make-up.”
The health atlas shows 22.4 per cent of Melton residents and 21.7 per cent of Brimbank residents are smokers, with more men than women struggling to quit.
More than 40 per cent of Brimbank residents aged 15 and over have low levels of physical activities, higher than the state average of 32.6 per cent.
Wyndham residents are the heaviest drinkers with 4.6 per cent recording high levels of harmful alcohol consumption with 4.5 per cent of Melton residents also drinking excessively.
For more information about the health risks associated with bowel cancer visit www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/atlas.
