Publications - Exercise

The Costs of Illness Attributable to Physical Inactivity in Australia

This monograph presents a preliminary analysis of the costs of illness attributable to physical inactivity, with particular emphasis on coronary heart disease (CHD), non-insulin dependant diabetes (NIDDM) and colon cancer. Other costs of illness attributable to physical inactivity are described, although in less detail.

• Exercise
• Physical activity

Type 2 Diabetes Costs in Australia - The Potential Impact of Changes in Diet, Physical Activity and Levels of Obesity

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterised by insulin insufficiency or resistance to its action, resulting in poor glycaemic control. The recent Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab) estimated that close to one million (7.5%) Australian adults have diabetes mellitus (Dunstan et al 2001). Type 2 diabetes is the most common form comprising 85 to 90% of those with diabetes mellitus. The most recent cost estimates available suggest approximately $216.7 million in health system costs were attributable to Type 2 diabetes in 1993-94 (Mathers & Penm 1998). In a study of the burden of disease in Australia, diabetes mellitus was estimated to account for 5% of the total burden of disease and was the seventh leading cause of Australian deaths (Mathers, Vos & Stevenson 1999). In addition, complications of diabetes such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney problems, and lower limb amputations, contribute significantly to the overall morbidity and mortality in Australia.

• Exercise
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical activity
• Nutrition