The federal government’s Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found 70.1 per cent of adults in the Western Victoria Primary Health Network are overweight – the fourth highest in the country.

The obesity average rate for non-city regions is 68.5 per cent.

Horsham Mayor Pam Clarke said the results were disappointing and fit with similar reports handed to councillors.

“Obviously we have to get people to be more mobile,” she said.

“We are becoming more sedentary in our work and home lives.”

Cr Clarke said Horsham council and other organisations had to work to make sure people of all ages had access to opportunities to take part in sports and physical recreation.

Western Victoria Primary Health Network medical adviser Jane Opie said the report showed more needed to be done to help people in rural and regional communities.

“We know income is lower in rural and regional areas and obesity is linked to lower socio-economic status,” she said.

“The access to services is worse, such as things like public transport – it’s not rocket science to consider where these challenges become more difficult for people.

“One of the frustrations for me as a doctor is what can I do to help people at an individual level?

“However, until Australia takes a look at this and brings in measures like a sugar tax, it’s difficult to see how we can make a difference.”

Dr Opie said most people understood what they needed to do to be healthier.

“It’s about getting up out of the chair, being more active and thinking about the kinds of foods we are eating,” she said.

“But that requires people to be able to afford fresh healthy food and get away from the cheaper, packaged stuff.

“We need better access – it’s not as simple as just knowing what to do.”

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the state government should use its 30-year infrastructure strategy to help tackle the problem.

“There isn’t much in the Infrastructure Victoria strategy about helping regions like western Victoria with obesity,” she said.

“There’s a lot about bike paths in the strategy, but places like Horsham already have excellent bike paths.”