Kidney Health Australia's
Children's Ambassadors Billy Kidney and his companion
ventriloquist Lindi Jane have launched the latest
online healthy BIG RED BBQ recipes to help Kidney Health
Australia tackle obesity at the traditional Australian
barbeque as part of the battle against kidney disease at
http://www.bigredbbq.com.au
Billy and Lindi Jane are set to play a
major role in promoting the prevention of kidney
disease in Australia by spreading
healthy lifestyle messages to both children and parents.
Anne Wilson, Kidney Health Australia
CEO and Managing Director said the unique
communication skills of Billy and Lindi Jane
provided Kidney Health Australia with an
effective way to communicate important health
messages to children and their parents.
"Kidney Health Australia is encouraging
people to introduce healthy barbeque menus and choices
of food to cut the fat content of traditional barbeques.
Obesity increases the risk of kidney disease and our
message to the community is to undertake a healthy
lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight."
The BIG RED BBQ - the Healthy
Choice initiative focuses on recipes including fruit,
vegetables, fish, chicken and smaller portions of
traditional meat.
Ms Wilson said the campaign is also
aimed at Making a Noise About The Silent Killer
- Chronic Kidney Disease by making it a topic
of discussion at every barbeque through the link to
healthy eating and lifestyle.
Diet is a vital part of managing Kidney
Disease and we have chosen to highlight the Aussie
barbeque, a traditional family, sporting and community
social activity as a focus point to promote healthy
eating and encourage a greater use of fresh vegetables,
fruit, fish, chicken, lean meats and salads as a
preventative measure, Ms Wilson said.
"At present we have up to 150 BIG RED
BBQ's being held across Australia to promote healthy
eating and raise funds to support kidney
patients."
BIG RED BBQ RECIPES FREE
ONLINE http://www.bigredbbq.com.au
Anyone with Kidney Disease
wanting assistance should call the Kidney Health Line on
1800 4 543 639.
Editors Note
Kidney Health Australia would appreciate you
considering including the line 'Anyone with Kidney
Disease or carer wanting assistance should call the
Kidney Health Australia Help Line on 1800 4 543
639 as a service your readers.
Fast Facts on CKD in
Australia
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a
significant and growing public health problem,
responsible for substantial burden of illness and
premature mortality. In Australia, it is a fact
that:
* 1 in 3 adults are at increased risk of
developing CKD
* 1 in 7 adults have at least one clinical sign of
existing CKD
* A person can lose up to 90% of their kidney
function before experiencing any symptoms
* Approximately 2 million Australians may be
affected by early-stage kidney disease and don't know it
* Over 40 Australians die of kidney failure
each day
* 11.3% of all deaths in Australia are due to, or
associated with, kidney failure
* Every day, 6 Australians commence expensive
dialysis or transplantation to stay alive
* Most people with CKD will die from cardiovascular
causes before requiring dialysis or transplantation
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience
excessive death and disability due to CKD
* The dialysis-dependent population has risen by an
average of 8% per year over the past decade, and is
being fuelled by the ageing population, and Type 2
diabetes epidemic
* It costs approximately $83,000 per annum to keep
a person alive on dialysis
