Healthy Heart of Victoria has released the local findings of the 2019 Active Living Census (ALC) for Central Goldfields Shire. This follows the release of the results for the Loddon Campaspe region earlier this year.
With 1,176 responses received, the results from the Census provide an important insight into the health and wellbeing of people within Central Goldfields Shire.
One of the largest surveys ever conducted within Central Goldfields Shire, the Active Living Census asked residents questions about their health and wellbeing, including their participation in organised sport and informal physical activity, consumption of fruit, vegetables, water, alcohol and sugary drinks, overweight and obesity rates, rates of smoking and gambling, and levels of life satisfaction.
The aim of the Census was to develop a dataset to help inform decision making on investments, infrastructure, programs and services to ensure they are what is needed, where they’re needed.
Additionally, the intent of the findings is to assist local government and community agencies, schools, sporting clubs, community groups and residents within each local government area to advocate for the health and wellbeing of our communities. It will also support these organisations and groups to be more informed about the health behaviours within their communities and to assist them in obtaining funding to help create better health outcomes locally.
Key findings from 2019 Active Living Census for Central Goldfields Shire include:
- 69% of adults are overweight or obese
- 51% of adults meet the guidelines for physical activity
- 85% of people use the open spaces in Central Goldfields; and 62% of the 85% use the spaces for exercise and fitness
- Walking is the most popular physical activity
- 70% of 3 to 17 year olds eat the recommended amount of fruit each day; 44% of adults do
- 14 % of 3 to 17 year olds eat recommended amount of vegetables; 11% of adults do
- 13% of 3 to 17 year olds drink sugary drinks daily; 16% of adults do
- 15% of households reported they had run out of food and could not afford to buy more.
Central Goldfields Shire Administrator Hugh Delahunty commented, “The Active Living Census gives us, for the first time, a detailed demographic breakdown of activity levels across the Shire as well as showing how we compare to neighbouring areas and Victoria as a whole.
“This work gives us a clear baseline to help inform our upcoming Recreation and Open Space Strategy, which aims to support more people of all ages and abilities to be more active more often.”
The 2019 Active Living Census reports are available to view and download from now. We encourage any interested members of the community to view and utilise the data for their needs.
