Eight volunteers. Three experts.
Eight weeks.
One vision.
Making Australia Happy takes eight volunteers from inner city Sydney through a rigorous program to diagnose problems and set
them on the path towards better happiness. Not surprisingly, sleep and physical activity/calorie burn was an important factor.
This show is based on the very latest science, medical innovations and psychological techniques. Be sure not to miss it.
If you've missed an episode, go to makingaustraliahappy.abc.net.au/episodes.php to view the series online.
Week One
On week one of Making Australia Happy, Cade and Natalia received a startling wake up call when physiotherapist Anna-Louise Bouvier summoned them to Bondi Beach for the results of their physical assessment.
The two volunteers, aged 34 and 35, arrived suitably dressed for physical activity and were hoping for anything other than boot camp. But when they arrived at the iconic Sydney beach, hundreds of white plastic chairs were arranged on the sand. Was it an art installation or the setting for a performance? Perhaps a lecture on the benefits of exercise?
"What's less known is that 'not' moving is actually bad for your health."
"Everyone knows that physical activity promotes good health and happiness," explained Anna-Louise. "What's less known is that not moving is actually bad for your health."
"Over the last week, I've been collecting data from your armbands to get a picture of your physical lives. And today, I wanted to show you what that picture looks like."
"There are 242 chairs down there on the sand and if the last week is anything to go by, that represents how many days of the year you will have spent being sedentary. It's no wonder you're unhappy - you're simply not moving enough."
"Highly Sophisticated Armbands"
Using highly sophisticated armbands ('SenseWear', the medical version of BodyMedia Fit) that monitor their every move, Anna-Louise calculated that, on average, Cade and Natalia spend 93% of their day sitting or lying down.
There is more and more research looking at the health risks of 'sedentary behaviour' - that is, too much sitting as opposed to too little exercise. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity has become a global public health problem that not only increases the risk of depression and anxiety, but increases all causes of mortality and doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
The latest research, carried out by the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, looks at the long-term health risks associated with TV watching, which is the most common form of sedentary behaviour. Their study showed that people who
spent four or more hours a day sitting in front of the TV have a 46% higher risk of premature death and an 80% increased risk of death from heart disease.
For Cade and Natalia, who spend most of their days in front of computer and TV screens, the first step on their happiness journeys will be one that involves less sitting and more movement.
Making Australia Happy continues on Monday 22 November and Monday 29th November.
