Australians overweight and unhealthy, AIA

Australians are among the least satisfied with their health in the Asia Pacific region with 62 per cent of Australians indicating that their health has declined in the last five years, according to a new report.

The AIA Healthy Living Index surveyed 10,245 individuals throughout the Asia Pacific including over 600 interviews in Australia. It found a number of modern-day threats to healthy living including electronic devices and social media, which is affecting people’s sleeping patterns, happiness and fitness.

Close to 60 per cent of Australians said the amount of time their spend on mobile devices is affecting their posture; 52 per cent said it prohibits them from exercising and 45 per cent said it prevents them from getting more sleep.

Almost 50 per cent of Australians surveyed said they worried about getting cancer; 29 per cent were concerned about heart disease and obesity; 27 per cent were concerned about Alzheimer’s and 21 per cent were concerned about depression.

Eighty per cent of women in Australia indicated they wanted to lose weight compared to 66 per cent of men.

AIA Australia general manager of life insurance Damien Mu said the increasing amount of time people spent in front of computer screens was compounded by the fact many Australians then went home and sat in front of the television for hours.

“These sedentary and often solitary ways Australians are choosing to de-stress contribute to weight gain and increased risks of chronic illnesses,” he said.

Mu said insurance companies and financial advisers had a big role to play in terms of encouraging clients to lead more active and healthier lives. He said the report provided them with an opportunity to engage with consumers, while building on existing relationships with clients.

The AIA Healthy Living Index also showed that Australians over the age of 45 years placed more importance on family relationships and regular medical check-ups compared to younger people.