20 SEPTEMBER 1999

In response to the fact that over half of Australians are now classified as overweight or obese the Australian Nutrition Foundation (ANF) will be focussing on "Food Variety & Physical Activity" for Nutrition Week 1999, which is held from 10^th-16^th October.

One of the key events planned by the ANF this year is a seminar titled ‘Fitness and Food Secrets.’ The seminar will focus on ways of increasing food variety, physical activity and the latest weight management strategies. The two keynote speakers are Kristie Birtwistle, ANF Dietitian and Loretta Douris, one of Brisbane’s leading Sports Trainers.

"Overweight & obesity cost the Australian community over $840 million/year. Additionally, it has been estimated that we over $500 million is spent annually on weight reduction diets," said Kristie Birtwistle, Executive Officer (National) and Dietitian for the ANF.

The ANF recommends that we shift our focus from special diets to eating a wider variety of foods each day.

"Eating 20-30 different foods most days helps improve our health as well as manage our weight. Currently the average Australians eat only 15-18 different foods per week. Research shows that people who eat a wider variety of foods are healthier, have a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes and live longer," said Ms Birtwistle.

The ANF has developed a Food Variety Checklist that enables us to rate our diet and contains a sample meal plan that shows how to increase variety each day.

The ANF also recognises the need for increasing physical activity in order to reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity.

"The technology of today has reduced the need for human movement. This is often referred to as the ‘Bill Gates hypothesis’. Computers, TV’s and videos keep us inactive for long periods of time. Cars have reduced the need for walking and remote controls have further reduced activity levels," said Ms Birtwistle.

The current proportion of inactive Australians is unacceptably high. Nearly a third of Australians are completely inactive. Only half of adults are sufficiently physical active to maintain or improve heart health.

The ‘Fitness and Food Secrets’ seminar will feature the latest information on diets, food variety and physical activity. It will be held as a lunch time event on Wednesday, 13^th October. A delicious three-course meal is included for the cost of $20 and as numbers are limited, bookings are essential and preferred before 29^th September. To reserve your place or to obtain a copy of the Food Variety Checklist please phone the Australian Nutrition Foundation on 3876 2677.

The ANF is a non-profit organisation committed to improving the health of all Australians by providing nutritional information and making healthier choices easier.

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