18 January 2010
Diabetes WA are urging West Australians to get more physically active and prevent chronic disease, following new research findings linking sedentary time and mortality.
The study from Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne shows that for every one hour increment in television viewing time, there is an 11% increase in all causes of mortality and an 18% increase in cardiovascular related deaths (1).
Di Ledger, Director of Health Promotion at Diabetes WA, said that Western Australians could no longer ignore the fact that physical inactivity is strongly linked to obesity and chronic disease.
“Television watching is one of the most common behaviours that involves people being inactive for long periods of time. An estimated 7% of the burden of disease and injury in Australia is due to physical inactivity, while regular physical activity can help people to avoid conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers,” she said.
“By sitting less and finding ways to increase physical activity every day, people can reduce their risk of these diseases and of premature death. We encourage people to register for the free online program, the Get on Track Challenge, which is designed to motivate people to get up off their chairs and become more physically active.”
The Get On Track Challenge ran its first challenge in August last year and saw over 400 participants in 80 teams take part.
Wendy-Lee Pittick of Bunbury participated in the first challenge with her team ‘The Waifs’ and said that the challenge was exciting and helped her get out and do more exercise throughout her day.
“Being in a team was the perfect way to keep me motivated and it really made me think how I could fit more fruit and particularly vegetables in each day,” she said.
The Get on Track Challenge involves teaming up with 6-8 friends, family members or work colleagues to log daily physical activity minutes and fruit and vegetable consumption while progressing as a team along a virtual Western Australian track.
Registrations opened on January 13 and the challenge begins on February 8. To register, simply visit the website www.getontrackwa.com.au or call Diabetes WA on 1300 136 588.
The Get on Track Challenge is an initiative of Diabetes WA, supported by the Heart Foundation WA and The Cancer Council WA, and is proudly funded by the Department of Health, Western Australia.
1. Television Viewing Time and Mortality. The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and lifestyle Study (AusDIAB), Circulation published online Jan 11, 2010; D. W. Dunstan, E. L.M. Barr, G. N. Healy, J. Salmon, J. E. Shaw, B. Balkau, D. J. Magliano, A. J. Cameron, P. Z. Zimmet and N. Owen (Melbourne, Australia)
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