By SONJA KOREMANS
THE Darling Downs is home to Australia’s fattest and most inactive residents, research shows – but our couch potatoes shouldn’t shoulder all the blame.
The region is hardly brimming with free community fitness facilities to entice a healthier population.
So some of the onus is on councils to provide more bike paths, walkways, outdoor fitness equipment, fitness trails and public exercise classes.
Warwick community health advocate Johno Felton has called on the Southern Downs Regional Council not to ignore the obesity findings released this month.
Heart Foundation statistics show that more than 44 percent of Darling Downs residents are obese, with nearly three-quarters of the region’s population not engaging in sufficient physical activity.
“The only way to beat obesity, depression and a whole range of health issues is to keep fit, and if council could give us more bike tracks, walk ways and national park paths that is a good start,“ Mr Felton said.
The health lecturer and director of the Warwick Suicide Prevention urged Mayor Peter Blundell and SDRC councillors at a community meeting in Warwick last week to take advantage of grants available to build cycling infrastructure and improve existing fitness facilities.
The Queensland State Government provides council with grants for bikeway planning, design and construction.
But Mr Felton said council noted it did not have a designated grant officer to pursue the funding option.
“The southern downs hasn’t had any updates to walkways or bikeways for years, and it won’t cost the ratepaters anything if the the council can get grants for some of this.“
“There are talented people within the council who could seek out this type of funding to improve the overall health of our community,“ Mr Felton said.
Council declined to comment.
