Public health experts are one step closer in their search for answers to Queensland’s obesity epidemic, following the launch of Queensland’s first population-wide Everyday Health Survey on World Cancer Day (4 February).
The Cancer Council survey seeks to evaluate individual diet and lifestyle habits in order to improve community health and wellbeing.The survey focuses on factors such as nutrition, food marketing, and consumer psychology and behaviour.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift called on Queenslanders aged 18 and over to complete the online survey and test their everyday health.“Our Everyday Health Survey will inform the development of targeted strategies to help all Queenslanders live healthier, happier and more empowered lives,” Ms Clift said.
“We want to get a snapshot of how Queenslanders access information about healthy eating and what changes they would like to see in the community to help improve dietary habits.
“Understanding what influences food choices, how Queenslanders prepare meals and the biggest barriers to healthy eating are crucial to help us take action and support our State to get healthy.
“Survey respondents will also have their say on food marketing practices – including marketing to children, social marketing and the positioning of unhealthy food to encourage sales.
“The Everyday Health Survey also seeks to better understand any interactions between mental health, diet and physical activity, and how food habits may be affected by mood.
“This comprehensive study will allow us to take action, develop initiatives and strategies to help the community lead healthier lives, and guide the development of future research.”
On current trends, around three million Queenslanders will be overweight or obese by 2020, increasing their risk of chronic disease, including certain cancers.
Around 65 per cent of Queensland adults and 27 per cent of Queensland children weigh in as overweight or obese.
The launch of Cancer Council’s Everyday Health Survey coincides with World Cancer Day, an annual event uniting the world’s population in the fight against cancer.
“The theme for World Cancer Day 2016 is ‘We Can, I Can’ to demonstrate how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer,” Ms Clift said.
“We all have a role to play in cancer control this World Cancer Day – make a pledge and take action.
“We’re calling on Queenslanders aged 18 and over to take part in our Everyday Health Survey – help us raise awareness and improve the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders.”
Participants will be able to request a copy of survey answers and findings once they have completed the anonymous test.
Queenslanders can complete Cancer Council’s Everyday Health Survey online at cancerqld.org.au/everydayhealthsurvey. The survey closes on 29 February.
More than 26,000 Queenslanders are diagnosed with cancer every year, and about 8600 die from the disease.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available via 13 11 20 or cancerqld.org.au.
ENDS
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Executive Manager,
Media and Spokesperson,
Cancer Council Queensland
Phone: (07) 3634 5372
Mobile: 0409 001 171