We may be fat, but at least we're happy.
Despite a majority of Queenslanders admitting to being overweight or obese, most don't seem to care that much.
A survey of nearly 7000 Queenslanders in 2009 found that 84.6 per cent of the population rated their health as 'excellent', 'very good' or 'good'.
This was despite the fact Queensland Health's 'Self-Reported Adult Health Status Survey' also found that:
- 55.3 per cent of people were rated overweight or obese based on their Body Mass Index;
- only 7.6 per cent of people consumed the recommended serves of fruit and vegetables;
- only 55.9 per cent had sufficient activity for health benefit.
The state-wide survey asked adults a range of questions, from average alcohol consumption to sun-protective behaviours and mental health wellbeing.
It found more than 90 per cent of respondents rated their quality of life as 'very good' (37.5%) or 'good' (53%).
This was despite 36.6 per cent saying they felt depressed at least occasionally over the past month.
Wendy Brown, a professor of physical activity and public health at the University of Queensland, said it wasn't surprising to find people rating themselves as fit and healthy, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
"The health problems of overweight and obesity ... really don't start to come through until you get to at least 50," Professor Brown said.
"Most people do rate their health in middle age as being OK because they haven't yet got the problems.
"That's the battle with physical activity and nutrition and overweight and obesity - until something happens that's a bit of a wake up, people don't perceive it to be a problem, and often then it's too late."
Professor Brown said the survey result was still probably skewed by people underestimating their weight, with the percentage of people overweight or obese likely to be closer to 65 per cent.
"If you were to go out and measure them it would be higher," she said.
"The problem with obesity is it's not a a sudden thing. It doesn't just appear. It's very gradual.
"...(And) because it creeps up gradually you don't notice it. People get used to the way they are and forget how they were when they were 20.
"If you were to ask them if they feel as energetic as they did at 20, they'd say no but put it down to normal ageing when it really shouldn't be.
"I wonder if the 60 and 70-year-olds who are overweight and obese would rate their health as good."
The telephone survey was conducted with 6881 people aged 18-75+ throughout Queensland from January to March last year.
