Around a third of death and disability in Australia is due to unhealthy lifestyles, a new study says.

Deakin University researchers have looked at eleven studies which measured death and disability associated with smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, physical inactivity and diet.

It found that tobacco use, high BMI and smoking were each associated with at least 17,000 deaths per year, while unhealthy diet accounted for the greatest number of preventable deaths at 27,500.

Australians’ poor lifestyles are leading to a wide range of preventable diseases and disabilities, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, musculoskeletal conditions and a range of cancers, the researchers warn.

The full study is accessible here.