More than 27 per cent of Launceston local government area adults were found to be obese. 

More than a quarter of Launceston LGA adults had high blood pressure, while 38.1 per cent had high blood cholesterol. The Northern Midlands recorded the worst high blood cholesterol, at 40.2 per cent of adults.  Health Minister Michael Ferguson said priority actions under the state government’s Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan would help reduce the impact of high blood pressure on Tasmanians by prevention, earlier diagnosis and treatment. Launceston had a relatively low smoking rate for the state, sitting at 22.5 per cent of adults. 

The Australia’s Health Tracker by Area 2016 resource was developed by the Australian Health Policy Collaboration at Victoria University with the Public Health Information and Development Unit at Torrens University. It breaks down data into state, local government and population health areas. 

The health risk factor data estimates were formulated based on the Australian Health Survey, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

University of Tasmania School of Health Sciences Professor of Sports and Exercise Science Professor Andrew Hills said the data was “not surprising”. 

“Much greater attention, and at all ages, must be given to encouragement of increased physical activity … by everyone, irrespective of weight status,” Professor Hills said.