RISK FACTORS

This section on Risk Factors includes the Key and Related series for the following Indicators:

Consumption of alcohol
Smoking
Overweight/Obesity
Level of exercise



CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL


Key Series

CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IN QUANTITIES THAT PRESENT A 'LIFETIME RISK'/ 'RISK OR HIGH RISK TO HEALTH IN LONG-TERM' (a), Age standardised (b), 18 years and over
	2001	2004-05	2007-08	2011-12
	%	%	%	%
Consumption of alcohol in quantities:
That present a lifetime risk (a) (2009 NHMRC guidelines)
Males	29.0	32.2	30.2	28.9
Females	8.5	11.7	11.7	10.1
That present a risk/ high risk to health in long-term (a) (2001 NHMRC guidelines)
Males	13.1	15.2	15.0	13.3
Females	8.5	11.7	11.7	10.1
(a) In 2009, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) published Australian Guidelines: to Reduce Risks from Drinking Alcohol. These guidelines are a revision to 2001 Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol. In addition to revising consumption levels that constitute 'risky' behaviour, the 2009 guidelines refer to 'lifetime risk', rather than 'long-term risk', as in the 2001 guidelines. For further information see Glossary (Health). (b) Proportions have been age standardised to the 2001 Australian population to account for differences in the age structure of the population over time. Source: ABS data available on request, Australian Health Survey: ABS data available on request, National Health Survey.

For a historical commentary on this indicator, refer to the January 2013 release.

SMOKING

Key Series

CURRENT SMOKERS, Age standardised (a), 18 years and over
	2001	2004-05	2007-08	2011-12
	%	%	%	%
Males	27.2	26.2	23.0	20.3
Females	21.2	20.3	19.0	16.0

(a) Proportions have been age standardised to the 2001 Australian population to account for differences in the age structure of the population over time.

Source: ABS data available on request, Australian Health Survey, 2011-12;
ABS data available on request, National Health Survey.

For a historical commentary on this indicator, refer to the January 2013 release.

OVERWEIGHT/ OBESITY


Key Series

		1995		2001		2004-05		2007-08		2011-12
		%		%		%		%		%
Overweight/obese (d)
Measured
Males		64.9		na		na		67.8		69.9
Females		49.4		na		na		54.3		55.2
Self-reported
Males		na		57.5		61.6		62.8		na
Females		na		42.2		44.6		47.6		na
(a) Self-reported Body Mass Index is no longer collected after 2007–08. Measured Body Mass Index is based on measured height and weight and continues to be collected. (b) For more information see Body Mass Index in Glossary (Health). (c) Proportions have been age standardised to the 2001 Australian population to account for differences in the age structure of the population over time. (d) Excludes persons for whom measured or self-reported height or weight data were not available. Source: ABS data available on request, Australian Health Survey. ABS data available on request, National Health Survey. For a historical commentary on this indicator, refer to the January 2013 release.

LEVEL OF EXERCISE


Key Series

SEDENTARY OR ENGAGING IN LOW LEVELS OF EXERCISE, Age standardised (a), 18 years and over
	2001	2004-05	2007-08	2011-12
	%	%	%	%
Sedentary or engaging in low levels of exercise (a):
In last week (b)
Males	na	na	68.8	63.2
Females	na	na	75.7	72.3
In last 2 weeks (c)
Males	65.0	66.9	68.6	na
Females	73.7	73.7	76.1	na

na not available
(a) Proportions have been age standardised to the 2001 Australian population to account for differences in the age structure of the population over time.
(b) Refers to exercise undertaken in week prior to survey interview. For more information on Level of Exercise see Glossary (Health).
(c) Refers to exercise undertaken in two weeks prior to survey interview. For more information on Level of Exercise see Glossary (Health).

Source: ABS data available on request, Australian Health Survey, 2011–12;
ABS data available on request, National Health Survey.


Related Series

PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS, Age standardised (a), 15 years and over
	2005-06	2009-10	2011-12	2013–14
	%	%	%	%
Males	66.0	64.4	66.0	61.5
Females	65.5	62.5	64.0	60.2

(a) Proportions have been age standardised to the 2001 Australian population to account for differences in the age structure of the population over time.

Source: ABS data available on request, Multipurpose Household Survey (MPHS) - Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation topic.

Definitions of the concepts presented above can be found in the Health Glossary (under the Explanatory Notes tab). More detailed information can be found in the Health Data Cube (under the Downloads tab).