The youth of Australia are turning into a bunch of chubby wasters according to a report by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY). Lazy lifestyles are being blamed for the alarming obesity rates with 30 percent of 15-24 year-olds classified as overweight, while 18 percent of those surveyed admitting to illicit drug use.
Speaking to ABC News Dr Gervace Chaney, a Perth-based paediatrician and a board member
with ARACY, says while some of the findings are disturbing, the report does put the focus on areas that need attention.”These issues are not solved by simple measures,” he said. “Some
of them are very complex, but there are means and there is evidence
around this and ARACY’s been putting that together with the community,
with input of children and young people.”
“We think there’s a
great opportunity for government and the community and key
non-government groups to be involved in improving child and youth
outcomes.“
It’s not all bad news for kids these days, with the report indicating
that smoking numbers are down, as are youth suicide rates, while the
number of University graduates is on the rise. Unfortunately, the promising tertiary education numbers are offset by
climbing youth unemployment rate, indicating we have some of the most
over-qualified dole bludgers in the world.
via ABC News
Picture by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
