Heart Foundation NSW Cardiovascular Health director Julie Anne Mitchell said the organisation uncovered ‘‘alarming and sobering’’ statistics after analysing the prevalence of both obesity and physical inactivity in 28 regions across NSW.

‘‘Far from the image we often have of ourselves being fit, active and outdoorsy, this data shows that over a quarter of NSW residents are obese and 55 per cent are living sedentary lifestyles with little or no physical activity in their day,’’ Ms Mitchell said.

‘‘The truth is that our waist lines are increasing while our physical activity time is decreasing.’’

The Heart Foundation compiled a rank of the state’s regions by applying equal weighting to the proportion of adults who were obese and the proportion who were physically inactive in each area.

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie was listed as the fourth worst performing region in the state, with 31.5 per cent of its residents obese and 63.2 per cent not doing enough exercise.

The Central Coast was the fifth worst performer, with 35 per cent of its population obese and 57.3 per cent not active enough.

The Riverina sat at the top of the table, with 33.2 per cent of its population obese and 81.2 per cent not exercising enough.

Ms Mitchell said obesity and physical activity were two major risk factors for heart disease, which claims 55,000 lives a year – or one life every 12 minutes.

‘‘We are calling on the federal government to implement a fully funded National Physical Activity Action Plan to help communities and local government create environments that encourage regular activity,’’ she said.

Strategies in the plan could include easy access to public transport, separated bike and walking paths, healthy workplace policies, healthy design of built environments that encourage more recreational activity, as well as education programs that encourage Australians to unplug and play.

Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle Clare Collins said residents who were obese or at risk of obesity could also review what they were putting on their plates – as well as their portion sizes – to improve their heart health.

‘‘In this region people don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables, or enough of a variety of healthy foods,’’ she said.

‘‘People who eat a bigger variety of core foods tend to stay healthier and live longer, so that means a more diverse range of vegetables, fruits, wholegrain breads and cereals.

‘‘Choose the leanest meat, chicken or fish you can afford, reduced-fat dairy products and use low-fat cooking techniques.’’

Professor Collins said online resource healthyeatingquiz.com.au was an ideal way for residents to identify areas in their diet where they may be able to improve.

She also suggested visiting the federal government’s Eat For Health website, which has a guide that visually represents the proportion of the five food groups recommended for consumption each day.

‘‘If you’re gaining weight at the moment, looking at your diet is critical to holding or managing your weight,’’ she said.

‘‘You only need to take off 5per cent of your body weight for two years to reduce the risk of type two diabetes by more than 50per cent.’’

The Newcastle Herald reported last August that Newcastle and Lake Macquarie were found to have the 16th highest rate of cardiovascular disease in the country at 27.2per cent. The region was one of the worst for high blood pressure at 40.2per cent.

 Heart Week runs until May 9. Visit heartfoundation.org.au

This article first appeared on The Herald website