A Primary Health Network snapshot from earlier this year showed that 32.3 people per 100 were obese in Cessnock, almost seven percent above the state average of 26.4.

In 2013, Cessnock was also the sixth most obese town in Australia.

The obesity statistics were no surprise to Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat co-ordinator Shane Feeney (pictured) earlier this year.

Similarly, local personal trainer Samantha Hindmarsh was not shocked at the latest figures.

There are many groups and free resources available for people to find out about healthy eating and the importance of exercise, including Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat.

An outdoor gym has been built at Branxton, there is a free bi-weekly fit club in Kurri and a Park Run is starting up soon in Cessnock.

There are also three 24-hour gyms in Cessnock.

So, what will it take for people to start taking their health seriously?

In this modern day and age, we as a society are becoming busier. We are expected to multi-task.

But there is no excuse for one’s health not to be a priority.

The burden of poor health extends beyond just the physical effects on the body.

It can cost families a lot of money in doctors appointments, medication and treatments.

The emotional trauma of seeing a loved one suffer poor health, and potentially an early death, is also awful for families.

The already-stressed hospital system also has to bear the brunt of caring for these heart disease patients.

The latest statistics from the Bureau of Health showed that there was a two per cent annual increase in the number of emergency attendances at Cessnock Hospital.

There were 4,209 emergency patients seen at the hospital from January to March this year, compared to 4,122 during the same period in 2015.

By improving rates of preventable conditions such as heart disease, these resources can help more people suffering with non-preventable conditions.

And while turning one’s health around can seem daunting, help is available and the benefits of improving your health are worth the effort.