Census to assess health habits

HEALTHY Loddon Campaspe (HLC) – a State Government-funded initiative aimed at improving health outcomes in Loddon Campaspe – has announced that one of the largest surveys ever to be conducted in the region will open on Monday 26 May.

The online Active Living Census will gather health and wellbeing data in order to help shape a healthier future for the community after receiving almost 25,000 responses when it was last conducted in 2019.

It is expected to cover a broad range of topics, including participation in organised sport and physical activity, plus consumption of fruit, vegetables, water, alcohol and sugary drinks.

It will also cover rates of overweight and obesity, smoking, gambling habits, levels of life satisfaction and barriers to eating well and being physically active.

Findings will help inform decisions regarding investments, infrastructure, programs and services.

The data collected will also make sure that resources are allocated where they are most needed.

HLC regional steering group deputy chair Lincoln Fitzgerald said the Census is a vital tool that will assist community groups, government agencies, schools and sporting clubs in advocating for the health and wellbeing needs of the community.

“It will also support local organisations to secure funding to create healthier environments and services for everyone,” he said.

Key findings of the 2019 census included that 62.5 per cent of adults in the Loddon Campaspe region were overweight or obese, and 9.2 per cent of households in the region were food insecure.

Walking was the most popular type of physical activity, followed by swimming, fitness, active play and cycling.

One in every two adults (48 per cent) met the daily fruit consumption guidelines, better than the Victorian average of 42.9 per cent, while one in every eight adults met the daily vegetable consumption guidelines, way above the Victorian average.