A healthy-living campaign launched across the state today will graphically highlight the risks associated with unhealthy weight, poor diet and physical inactivity.
The ‘LiveLighter’ campaign will include hard-hitting advertising which shows the toxic build-up of visceral fat inside people’s bodies, and directs individuals to a website where they can access tools including an online meal and activity planner to improve their lifestyle.
“The conversations we start in our own community about our own health will help us make changes ourselves,” Latrobe City mayor Sharon Gibson said.
According to Victorian Population Health Survey 2008 figures, 34.2 per cent of Latrobe Valley residents are overweight and 19.7 per cent are obese.
“Trying to achieve healthier lifestyles doesn’t have to be hard work – there are many social benefits to taking regular exercise, such as a gym class or walking group, and doing this together can help create lifelong friendships that create supportive networks,” Cr Gibson said.
The campaign is a joint initiative by the Cancer Council Victoria, the Heart Foundation, Healthy Together Victoria and the State Government.
It is supported by the Healthy Together Latrobe initiative which is a partnership between council and Latrobe Community Health Service.
LCHS chief executive Ben Leigh said the campaign would complement and support the work undertaken by Healthy Together Latrobe.
“As well as encouraging people to lose weight, this campaign explains why people should take action and provides many useful tips and tools such as online meal and activity planners,” Mr Leigh said.
Healthy Together Latrobe encourages local workers, families and community organisations to get involved and visit livelighter.com.au
