The best way to prepare for a long and healthy life is to maximise the benefits to be gained from healthy nutrition and a sensible lifestlye. Recognising that our nutritional requirements change as we age is a good start to achieving and maintaining your own healthy and comfortable weight.  

Surprisingly, the Australian National Health Survey¹ shows that women are more realistic about their weight than men. While 37 per cent consider themselves as overweight, body mass index (BMI) calculations show that closer to half of all women are actually overweight (45 per cent). Only about one third of men consider themselves as overweight (32 per cent) with BMI calculations showing that it is closer to two thirds (62 per cent) who are actually overweight.

It is never too late to improve on what and how much you eat. Healthy eating helps you keep up your energy, gives you a stronger immune system, improves your state of mind, decreases your risk of disease and helps you control your weight.

1.  National Health Survey: Summary of Results, 2004-05 (cat.no. 4364.0)

Content updated September 24, 2006