Pakenham dietician Emma Sampimon is encouraging residents to lead healthier lifestyles after a health survey released last week showed a high rate of overweight and obese people.By Danielle Galvin
A PAKENHAM dietician has warned that high rates of obesity in the Cardinia Shire could lead to an increased risk of some cancers, diabetes and heart disease.
Emma Sampimon, who works at Pakenham Family Health, encouraged at-risk residents to make some changes to their eating habits.
“Adopting a healthier lifestyle is often easier than people might think, and there are simple everyday changes people can make to become healthier without losing all the things they love,” she said.
The local dietician’s warning comes after the State Government released the latest round of health and well-being statistics relating to the shire.
Minister for Health David Davis said the 2009 Victorian Population Health Survey was a snapshot of 7500 adults and there were some areas for improvement.
“We don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables, and more and more Victorians are becoming obese or developing diabetes,” Mr Davis said last week.
Figures for the shire show a higher rate of overweight and obese males and females compared to the state’s averages.
The statistics also show that 19.2 per cent of males and 17.7 per cent of females in the shire are current smokers, both higher than the Victorian average.
Mr Davis said the survey showed that most Victorians needed to eat more fruit and vegetables, but most were engaging in some sort of physical activity.
“Physical activity and a healthy lifestyle is a major contributor to reducing a range of illnesses and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers and obesity,” he said.
“Even if it is taken up in middle or later life, physical activity has a protective effect and the health benefits can be built up over time.”
Ms Sampimon said she specialised in providing dietary advice on weight management, eating disorders, gut disorders, diabetes and heart disease.
She said obese and overweight residents should make some basic changes to their lifestyle.
“Sharing a dessert rather than having your own or ensuring half your dinner plate is full of vegetables or salad can make a big difference,” she said.
“It’s also important to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness levels often reducing ‘non-hungry’ eating can lead to achieving a healthy weight.”
