Cancer Council Names And Shames Fattest Town In Queensland

Mackay has been named the fattest town in Queensland.

A whopping 83 percent of the population there is either overweight or obese, according to stats from Cancer Council Queensland.

On the list of ten regional centres across the state, the Gold Coast placed seventh.

Don't celebrate yet though, 61.6 percent of adults here are still in the unhealthy weight range.

That's more than three overweight or obese people in every five. 

Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan says it's concerning to see rates still rising in some areas and is reminding people to put their health first ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4.

“Being obese or overweight can have a detrimental impact on your health and is one of the leading contributors to chronic diseases later in life, including some cancers,” Ms McMillan said.

She says up to one third of all cancer cases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices, including eating healthy and exercising regularly.

Take a look at the full results below:

Obese and overweight adults by region
As reported in Progress in Australian Regions

1. Mackay 83.4%
2. Fitzroy 73.1%
3. Wide Bay 70.1%
4. Toowoomba 63.3%
5. Greater Brisbane 62.9%
6. Townsville 64.6%
7. Gold Coast 61.6%
8. Sunshine Coast 60.3%
9. Darling Downs 59%
10. Cairns 51.5%