With more than 3000 responses, the results show only 12.5 per cent of adults meet vegetable dietary guidelines and walking is the most popular form of exercise.
But only 21.2 per cent of the population reported they went walking for exercise in the past 12 months.
Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Adrian Weston said the aim of the census was to develop a data set to help inform decision making on investments, infrastructure, programs and services to ensure they are what is needed, where they’re needed.
“Additionally, the intent of the findings is to assist local government and community agencies, schools, sporting clubs, community groups and residents within each local government area to advocate for the health and wellbeing of our communities,” Cr Weston said.
“It will also support these organisations and groups to be more informed about the health behaviours within their communities and assist them in obtaining funding to help create better health outcomes locally.”
Key findings from 2019 Active Living Census for Campaspe Shire include:
● Walking is the most popular physical activity among Campaspe Shire residents, with 21.2 per cent of the population reporting they went walking for exercise in the past 12 months.
● 55.4 per cent of Campaspe Shire adults meet physical activity guidelines.
● 12.5 per cent of adults meet vegetable dietary guidelines. Females were more likely than males to meet the consumption guidelines (18.5 per cent, compared to 6.3 per cent).
● 45.7 per cent of adults meet fruit dietary guidelines within Campaspe Shire. Females were more likely than males to meet the fruit consumption guidelines (49.4 per cent, compared to 42.1 per cent). Females aged over 70 were most likely to be meeting fruit consumption guidelines (61.3 per cent).
● 42.6 per cent of Campaspe Shire residents rated their own health as excellent or very good, with 39.1 per cent rating their health as good and 18.3 per cent rating their health as poor.
There are two reports available for the Active Living Census for Campaspe Shire — a comprehensive top line report featuring detailed tables of data on every survey question, and a selected findings report highlighting the main findings.
“The selected findings report is broken down by each township as well as by the top activities with the highest rate of yearly participation, and into specific demographic and population groups,” Cr Weston said.
“There is also a comprehensive summary at the beginning of each of these reports, which provides a holistic overview of the findings for Campaspe Shire, and compares the results to the Loddon Campaspe region as well as to Victorian state statistics.”
The Active Living Census was funded by the Healthy Heart of Victoria initiative and project-managed by Healthy Greater Bendigo.
Council encouraged any interested members of the community to view and utilise the data for their needs.
The 2019 Active Living Census reports are available to view and download from campaspe.vic.gov.au