By Charlene Gatt
MARIBYRNONG men are less healthy than women, a new report has revealed.
The Victorian Population Health Survey shows Maribyrnong men rated worse in eight out of nine categories for the 2008 study.
Expanding waistlines saw 42.9 per cent of males classified as overweight, compared to 22.1 per cent of women. From this, 13 per cent of men and 10.2 per cent of women were considered obese.
Men were also more likely to be smokers and drink at risky levels during the week.
But it seems both sexes were making an effort to fit in 30 minutes of exercise on most days, with 56.5 per cent of men and 60.8 per cent of women meeting physical activity guidelines.
Both also made a concerted effort to eat two serves of fruit a day, but less than 10 per cent of both males and females ate the recommended five serves of vegetables.
The annual survey is a snapshot on the health of residents across every council area in Victoria and includes physical activity levels, smoking prevalence, alcohol consumption, intake of fruit and vegetables, selected health and screening checks, body weight, asthma and diabetes prevalence, psychological distress and social networks.
The information is used to ensure State Government public health programs are relevant and responsive to present and emerging health issues.
More than 34,000 Victorian residents were surveyed as part of the study.
