Tamworth health statistics due to culture of blaming, complaining: fitness pro

A local health professional has vented his frustration about the health crisis facing Tamworth, urging residents to stop blaming other people, groups or circumstances, and "just help themselves."

Fit2Function owner and operator Brady Walker was blowing up over the social media reaction a story in Tuesday's Leader received.

The story stated the Tamworth region is the heart disease capital of Australia, after also having been named the fattest city in Australia, plus boasting the second-highest smoking rates in the state.

It received more than 150 comments on the Leader's Facebook page, many blaming the number of fast food options in the city, others the media, the council, the government, and other organisations and factors for the alarmingly bulging statistics.

"That is bull**** - this town drives me nuts sometimes," Mr Walker said.

"People are blaming franchises and other things, but there is no one else in your shoes - you need to put your own hand up and help yourself.

"This is not a sales pitch - you can get out and walk the dog, get out and about, and get involved in your own life.

"Council is fairly active in getting people active, but you only need space to walk - and in Tamworth we have plenty of that."

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Mr Walker grew up in Sydney and moved to Tamworth in 2008, launching the fitness business with his physiotherapist wife, Jess, in 2014.

"There is a problem in Tamworth, you can see it by just walking down the street," he said.

"There is a real situation here where people don't want to get uncomfortable by looking at themselves and their own lives, but they are more than happy to point the finger and rant about things being out of balance - but they are the only one in control of that.

"Sometimes I think a lot of people in Tamworth are happiest when they have something to be unhappy about. There is a real culture of negativity sometimes - It is really frustrating."