“Healthy Suburbs”, Only for the Rich Suburbs?

Abstract: The prevalence of obesity in Australia and western parts of society is on the rise; Obesity can be contributed to by unhealthy eating and exercise habits. Several studies have explored some of the reasons for this epidemic, including one by Anne Kavanagh into “healthy suburbs” using a longitudinal study in Victorian suburbs. The first aim of this essay is to summarise and explain this research into developing healthy suburbs, the second aim is to summarise how this information can be used to better our society in the future.


Due to recent trends of obesity and unhealthy eating and exercise habits of Australians, Victoria Health funded a study into “healthy suburbs”. According to Victoria Health, 54 percent of Victorian men and 38 percent of Victorian women are overweight. With this in mind the “healthy suburbs” report looked into what factors influence the obesity trend. This study was the first of its kind to examine the relationships between the individual, household and environmental factors that impact on health. The recent VicLANES research by Anne Kavanagh is a longitudinal study into varying Melbourne suburbs, focussing on their food purchasing, alcohol consumption and exercise habits. The study, funded by Victoria Health was done in order to promote “healthy suburbs”. The research was part of a recommendation by Victorian Lifestyle And Neighbourhood’s Environment Study (VicLANES). The research was conducted over three years on almost 5000 people in 50, low, medium and high socio economic neighbourhoods around Melbourne. The report found that where you live, can influence what you eat, how much you exercise and even how much you weigh. The purpose of the research was to share the findings with a range of professionals, who work in health and other areas, that can have significant impacts on the trends and shaping of people’s local environments. Several findings disproved some popular myths that surround issues such as exercise and eating habits.

The first research area was that of food purchasing, this data was collected by using the “Food Purchasing and Your Household” survey. The survey was directed towards the person who did most of the shopping in the household. Physical activity and alcohol consumption was measured using the “You and Your Neighbourhood” survey. The behaviours, knowledge and attitudes of the people involved were measured in all three areas of the research.

The study found that compared to those who live in high socio-economic status areas, those in low socio economic areas were less likely to exercise at the level needed to maintain good health, walked less, and had a higher body mass index. The study found that only 46 percent of people in low socio-economic areas do enough exercise to maintain good health, compared to 54 percent in medium socio-economic areas and 60 percent in high socio-economic suburbs. The study found that those in lower socio economic areas weighed, on average three kilograms more than those with higher incomes. The factors that were found to influence this were the quality of footpaths for exercise, the location of parks and the price and availability of healthy food. Another factor was that people who lived closer to major roads had access to many take away food stores; this was found to contribute to obesity. High-income areas were found to have greater access to parks and more recreational activities; this in turn leads to less obese residents. With the exception of not having enough time, other reasons for not exercising were greatest in low socio-economic areas. Some of the reasons were having an injury or disability, not having someone to exercise with and not being the sporty type.

The study also found that people who lived in lower socio-economic areas were less likely to purchase healthy groceries, didn’t eat as much fruit and were twice as likely to purchase take away food to eat at home on a weekly basis. This may have been due to the fact that lower socio-economic areas had twice as many fast food outlets. There was an interesting finding that showed that surroundings had a greater impact than income on health and wellbeing. The study showed that living in a low socio-economic area is harmful, whether a person is on a high or low income. The popular belief that those in lower socio economic areas have more places to walk to is true, but the study found that the residents do not feel safe walking in their local environment and there is too much traffic. Another myth that was disproved was that people in lower socio economic areas had less access to fruit and vegetables; in fact they have more access to these items. However, they also have more access to the cheap fast food. They found that although fruit and vegetables were cheaper and more accessible in these suburbs it also took up a greater proportion of people’s incomes. Another factor that discouraged these people from purchasing healthy items were that up to a quarter of those surveyed had trouble carrying their groceries, and were likely to run out of money to buy food. All these factors could be an influence on their shopping habits.

Another major factor in the study was the lack of knowledge shown by people in low socio-economic areas about things such as healthy food and exercising. The report states that these people have less good nutritional knowledge and make food choices based solely on price. People in low socio economic areas also were less knowledgeable in the benefits of regular exercise.

Alcohol consumption was found to be generally higher in men then women in all suburbs. Men in low socio-economic areas were more likely to consume alcohol at least once per week at a level that can cause them short term harm. Low socio economic areas had more alcohol stores than other areas.

Victoria Health Chief executive Dr Rob Moodie said the study showed that there is a connection between health and urban planning. He said that as the urban sprawl develops and has a lack of recreational facilities and public transport, we see that people are less likely to be active and more likely to be overweight. He also made the statement “We always say, we are what we eat. Well, we also are where we live.”

Dr Moodie also said that it was not enough for governments to just promote healthy activities such as walking and cycling. “ We need to invest much more heavily in our environments… so that we prioritise the pedestrian and the cyclist. For far too long Australia has been a completely car-dependent society.”

In an article titled ‘Councils Leading the Way to Healthier Communities’, it shows the way in which councils are embracing the fact that people’s surroundings do have a significant impact on their health. In August 2005 the Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion identified the challenges and ways to address the determinants of health in a globalised world. It examined the health effects of inequities, urbanisation and environmental damage. This shows that the matter of healthy suburbs and communities are of great and worldwide importance.

The findings in the VicLANES report are supported by several programs for councils to promote healthy living. “Leading the Way” is a resource that gives practical advice on how to embed health and wellbeing into their social, economic and environmental planning. Ged Dibley who developed Leading the Way said that most councils now recognise the long term effects on valuing health and wellbeing in planning, whether it is new roads, parks or housing estates.

The Study by Anne Kavanagh is an instrumental and important report into how we can develop “healthy suburbs”. By looking at factors such as shopping and exercise habits, valuable information was gathered about different suburbs with varying socio economic statuses. This information can now be used in areas such as councils and land planning, to make sure that health and wellbeing is a top priority for all people in Australia.

References

Kavanagh, A, M (2005) Urban area disadvantage and physical activity: a multilevel study in Melbourne, Australia. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Nov 2005, 934-940

DHS, MAV & VLGA September 2001, Environments for Health, Municipal Public
Health Planning Framework, Department of Human Services, Municipal Association of Victoria, Victorian Local Government Association.

VicHealth 2002, Leading the Way: Councils Creating Healthier Communities,
Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Melbourne.

http://www.kcwhs.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/61398/VicLanes_Report.pdf accessed 18th Sep 2007

www.who.int/healthpromotion/conferences/6gchp/bangkok_charter/en/index.html
accessed 16th Sep 2007.


Appendix A:

Self- assessment

Research and theory:

I found that it was in fact quite easy to find information on this topic, because my topic was so specific and on one article in particular. The other bits of information I added were still related specifically to this topic. I think that I did make effective use of the article; it was quite a long report with lots of information, which made it somewhat difficult to relay all the information I wanted to. At some stages I felt I could have added more information from other sources, but after looking at my question again, didn’t find it necessary.

Written Expression:

I think that my blog is well spaced out and is quite easy to read, it is in size twelve font and consists of medium sized paragraphs. The blog is written in APA style, it includes an abstract, introduction, main body and conclusion. As opposed to my first blog, a concept map wasn’t an appropriate technique to use as this essay is describing and explaining someone else’s work. The readability of my blog was shown as being 13 using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. This is not as low as I would have liked it by still makes it accessible to a wide range of people.

Online Engagement:

Yet again this is my downfall, I started off after blog one determined to increase my amount of online engagement. I did offer some comments on other people’s blogs and wrote a short blog on my own site about the topic I had chosen. This is an area where I really need to improve; I need to be more consistent with my comments and posts.