BEHAVIOURAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MEN AND WOMEN AGED 20–69

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Abstract
Summary: Data are presented on the physiques, physical fitness, serum lipids, blood pressures and smoking habits of 1,500 men and 700 women, and on the physical activity and dietary habits of small sub‐samples. The subjects were residents of Adelaide (pop. 900,000) volunteering for fitness courses, and were mainly from middle and upper‐middle income groups. Fifty per cent of the men and 37% of women were more than 10% above ideal body‐weight, 36% and 28% respectively had elevated serum cholesterol (≥ 6.4 mmol/1), 29% and 9% had elevated triglycerides (≥ 2.0 mmol/1), and 21% and 17% had elevated diastolic blood pressures (≥ 95 mmHg). By overseas standards physical fitness was quite low in the men, and moderate in the women. Cigarette smoking was 10% less prevalent in both sexes than in the general Australian population. Average total daily energy intake was 10,290 kilojoules (2,450 cals.) for men, and 7,375 kilojoules (1,756 cals.) for women, with 11.4% of energy provided by alcohol in male drinkers, and 4.5% in female drinkers. Diet was relatively rich in “empty kilojoules” and cholesterol. Both sexes took little vigorous exercise but the women were less sedentary than the men. It is suggested that the biological profile of this sample is unsatisfactory, probably reflects the status of the urban population in general, and indicates the need for systematic health promotion. The value of the kind of information presented here, in relation to health programmes, is discussed.

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