Next step for healthier Queensland, from Head (of State) to feet
CQUniversity physical activity researchers have welcomed the Queensland Government’s strategy to reduce obesity and highlighted the vital importance of walking and system-level improvements to support sustainable behaviour change.
The Hon. Steven Miles, Premier of Queensland and The. Hon. Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services, released the Making Healthy Happen Strategy and Action Plan on Sunday 19 May. The Strategy and Action Plan is the State Government’s response to the National Obesity Strategy 2022-2023.
Aimed at helping create a Queensland where healthier food and drink options, engaging in physical activity and increased health literacy is a part of everyday lives, CQUniversity’s 10,000 Steps senior research officer Anetta Van Itallie said everyone can contribute - and it can begin with a few steps.
Since 2001, the 10,000 Steps program has supported more than 650,000 people to track their steps and get active through its research-informed, multi-strategy approach to driving sustainable behaviour change. Its efforts have seen nearly 400 billion steps logged.
In 2024, as Australians are counting their steps in record numbers, Ms Van Itallie said evidence was mounting that extra steps were leading to longer, happier and healthier lives, too.
“The research shows that people do things out of habit, but for habits to ‘stick’, it must be enjoyable, efficient or satisfying,” she explained.
“10,000 Steps supports and motivates people to add more activity to their everyday lives by using step-tracking which can make it fun, competitive and sometimes more efficient than driving!”
A key focus for the 10,000 Steps program is also supporting workplaces and communities to create cultural change and supportive environments where the healthy choice is the easy and desired choice.
The release of the Making Healthy Happen Strategy follows Queensland’s Governor leading the charge to encourage regional Queenslanders to step up their health and wellbeing, with her first Community Walk in Rockhampton this month.
Her Excellency, the Honourable Dr Jeanette Young AC PSM stepped out for a two kilometre walk around the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens on Saturday 11 May, with Stuart Elder, curator of the Botanic Gardens, and an energetic crowd of Central Queensland locals.
It was the first time the Governor led a community walk in regional Queensland and she was joined by fellow walking enthusiasts - CQUniversity’s 10,000 Steps team.
The free community walks, delivered in partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld), fulfil the Governor’s pledge, made when sworn in, to encourage a ‘healthy and active Queensland’, and to open the estate grounds to more Queenslanders.
Passionate about encouraging all Queenslanders to be healthy, the high-profile health professional has been leading community walks in the grounds of Government House in Brisbane since she was sworn into office in 2021.
Based in Rockhampton, Ms Van Itallie supported HWQld, who also fund the 10,000 Steps program, to deliver the inaugural regional community walk.
“To have Her Excellency start the new initiative in Rockhampton has been very exciting, and a really meaningful tribute to the passionate locals who have been part of 10,000 Steps over the last two decades,” Ms Van Itallie said.
“Our research team is very grateful for the encouragement and inspiration Dr Young provides to all Queenslanders, and especially regional communities, to step up their physical activity.”
CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Klomp also joined the morning stroll, and other representatives from CQUniversity and Rockhampton Regional Council.
Ms Van Itallie said increasing steps could boost health and wellbeing for Queenslanders at any age.
“We know that people who take more steps per day reduce their risk of premature mortality and developing other chronic conditions,” she said.
“Adding even 500 to 1000 steps to your day can increase your physical and mental health benefits.”
About a third of Queensland adults (34.6 per cent) are living with obesity, higher than the national rate (31.7 per cent).
Ms Van Itallie stressed that targets should be different for different people, and different health and wellbeing goals.
10,000 Steps is delivered by CQUniversity, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, and Preventive Health SA, Government of South Australia.
The Making Healthy Happen Strategy will be led by Health and Wellbeing Queensland, and a key strategy action is to fund and drive free statewide prevention programs.
Learn more at the 10,000 Steps website and register to participate for free!
