❓ Hon. Norman Moore questions the Minister for Health regarding a press release promoting increased fruit and vegetable consumption, challenging the assertion that West Australians have poor diets despite high life expectancy and seeking data on diet-related hospital admissions.
AnsweredQoN 642Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Minister to his press release regarding adults being encouraged to eat more fruit and vegetables, dated April 21, and ask -
(1) Is the Minister aware that Western Australians are amongst the healthiest groups in the world in terms of our life expectancy and general health?
(2) If so, why is the Minister so adamant in his statement that West Australians are wrong to believe that they eat healthy, including sufficient fruit and vegetables?
(3) How many adults are treated in public hospitals for illnesses related to poor diets, other than alcoholics and heroin addicts?
(4) If the Minister has no such data, on what basis does he make the claims in his press release about ‘substantial reductions in disease due to poor diet’?
(1) Is the Minister aware that Western Australians are amongst the healthiest groups in the world in terms of our life expectancy and general health?
(2) If so, why is the Minister so adamant in his statement that West Australians are wrong to believe that they eat healthy, including sufficient fruit and vegetables?
(3) How many adults are treated in public hospitals for illnesses related to poor diets, other than alcoholics and heroin addicts?
(4) If the Minister has no such data, on what basis does he make the claims in his press release about ‘substantial reductions in disease due to poor diet’?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 June 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
34 days
1.
Yes. Life expectancy at birth in Western Australians is high at 76.1 years for males and 81.9 years for females. However, some of the main causes of death in Western Australia are diet–related, including: ischaemic heart disease, some cancers, diabetes and stroke.
2.
Eating more fruit and vegetables may be the single most important dietary change needed to reduce the risk of major chronic diseases. Health authorities recommend eating at least two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables each day for good health. In 2001, 93% of West Australian adults were not eating sufficient fruit and vegetables for good health but many believed that they were.
3.
Between 1990 and 1996 there were an average of 14,451 diet attributable hospital admissions per year. These accounted for 3.2% of all hospital admissions in WA. There have been significant increases in hospital admissions from diseases attributable to poor diet. For example, the age-standardised rate for hospital admissions for diabetes increased by 4.5% per annum in females and 9.6% in males from 1990-96. In 1995 in Western Australia the estimated cost of treating diseases attributable to diet was about 4.6% of total hospital costs which in 2001 represented $76.39 million.
4.
See above.
Yes. Life expectancy at birth in Western Australians is high at 76.1 years for males and 81.9 years for females. However, some of the main causes of death in Western Australia are diet–related, including: ischaemic heart disease, some cancers, diabetes and stroke.
2.
Eating more fruit and vegetables may be the single most important dietary change needed to reduce the risk of major chronic diseases. Health authorities recommend eating at least two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables each day for good health. In 2001, 93% of West Australian adults were not eating sufficient fruit and vegetables for good health but many believed that they were.
3.
Between 1990 and 1996 there were an average of 14,451 diet attributable hospital admissions per year. These accounted for 3.2% of all hospital admissions in WA. There have been significant increases in hospital admissions from diseases attributable to poor diet. For example, the age-standardised rate for hospital admissions for diabetes increased by 4.5% per annum in females and 9.6% in males from 1990-96. In 1995 in Western Australia the estimated cost of treating diseases attributable to diet was about 4.6% of total hospital costs which in 2001 represented $76.39 million.
4.
See above.
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