Cancer Council will today reveal the true cost of an unhealthy shop, as the organisation urges Queenslanders to adopt five simple habits for a healthier, happier life.
Cancer Council’s Everyday Health Survey has revealed the top five habits for Queenslanders of all ages to live healthier, happier lives:
1. Be active every day.
2. Eat lots of fruit, veg, and fibre.
3. Cut down on red meat and alcohol.
4. Limit your intake of sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
5. Avoid processed meats and sugary drinks.
Media are invited for filming, photographs and interview opportunities:
What: The true cost of an unhealthy shop: healthy and unhealthy shopping baskets, and visuals of easy healthy snack swaps
Where: 553 Gregory Terrace, Fortitude Valley (parking available under the building)
When: Friday August 12, 11am
Who: Cancer Council spokesperson Katie Clift, Queensland Health Executive Director for Preventative Health Kaye Pulsford
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said many Queenslanders were being caught out at the supermarket, unknowingly filling their trolleys with unhealthy food.
“We need to get better at reading food labels and making informed choices at the supermarket to benefit our family’s overall health,” Ms Clift said.
“The true cost of an unhealthy shop isn’t just financial – the impact is seen in Queensland’s burgeoning obesity epidemic and our overall individual health and happiness.
“The five habits we have identified respond to the evidence that nutritional guidelines are not always well understood.
“The five habits of Healthier Happier Queenslanders are easy for all Queenslanders to adopt, and will assist all of us to reduce our risk of a range of chronic diseases, including some cancers.
“The first is being active every day – with research suggesting that Queenslanders feel less stressed when they exercise. Aim for 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity every day.
“The second is eating lots of fruit, veg and fibre – avoid packaged and processed foods at the checkout and fill your trolley with natural ingredients.
“Go for two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables every day, and choose wholegrain cereal varieties to boost fibre intake.
“The third habit is to cut down on red meat and alcohol – over 60 per cent of Queenslanders don’t know that the weekly limit of cooked lean red meat is 455 grams. Limit your red meat consumption, and cut down on alcohol for health.
“Four – limit your intake of sugar, salt and saturated fat – and always check the sugar, sodium and fat levels on products to make healthy choices. Look for the Health Star Rating to make healthy decisions on the go!
“Finally, habit number five, avoid processed meats and sugary drinks – which account for a high proportion of the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Queensland.
“We are calling on the community to take a 5 Week, 5 Ways Everyday Health pledge to improve their short and long-term health and wellbeing.
“Our hope is that after five weeks, people should notice significant changes in their health and happiness, reinforcing a life-long commitment to enjoying and benefitting from a healthy diet and lifestyle.”
Queensland Health’s Executive Director for Preventative Health Kaye Pulsford said Queensland Health was supportive of any positive and proactive measures that encouraged people to get moving and make healthier choices.
“Currently our data shows 64 per cent of adults and 26 per cent of children are overweight or obese,” Ms Pulsford said.
“Importantly, the five habits being promoted by Cancer Council Queensland are in-line with our own Healthier. Happier. campaign messages.
“There is a range of tools, information and links to lifestyle programs on our Healthier. Happier. website (healthier.qld.gov.au) for anyone looking for inspiration on how to lead a healthier lifestyle.”
The full results of Cancer Council’s Everyday Health Survey are available online at cancerqld.org.au/everydayhealthsurvey.
Queenslanders can read more about the Five Habits of Healthier Happier Queenslanders at cancerqld.org.au/everydayhealthsurvey.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available at cancerqld.org.au or 13 11 20.
ENDS
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Executive Manager,
Media and Spokesperson,
Cancer Council Queensland
Phone: (07) 3634 5372
Mobile: 0409 001 171