How Many Australians Are Obese?
Obesity is one of the major public health issues in Australia, following over the years with a prominent concern to Australia’s citizens and the government. With statistics from the 2016-17 National Health Survey, it is shown that around one in four adults percentage between the age of 25 and older are currently deemed to be obese. With a more detailed analysis, this article will delve into the current situation of obesity in Australia, examine the contributing factors and its effects on the population.
Current Statistics of Obesity in Australia
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reveals that 10.6 million Australians aged 18 and older are overweight or obese. From this total of 12.5 million Australians between the age of 25 and older, around a quarter is obese, according to the latest National Health Survey.
According to the AIHW, the prevalence of overweight or obesity has been increasing since the 1980s. A 2019–20 National Health Survey revealed that 61.3% of Australians aged 18 and over are either overweight or obese. A further insights reported by AIHW, that females aged 18 and older were more likely than males to be overweight or obese (64.2% versus 57.7%), with a similar trend and result from those aged 25 and older.
Of states and territories, the highest prevalence of overweight or obese was reported by Tasmanians (67.4%), and the lowest by the Northern Territory (53.1%). The 2019–20 National Health Survey also showed that nearly 10% of children aged 5 to 17 were obese, with a total of over 400,000 within Australia, with boys (10.6%) being more likely to be obese than girls (7.7%).
Contributing Factors to Obesity in Australia
While obesity can vary among people, there are certain trends that have contributed to this current situation in Australia. Unhealthy eating patterns and physical inactivity are among the main drivers of obesity in many countries across the globe. Poor diet and lifestyle choices have been identified as the most prominent factors in Australia, with an increase in consumption of ultra-processed, energy-dense, nutrient-poor food, as well as limited physical activity.
A few other contributing factors that have been identified leading to obesity in Australia include:
• Limited access to healthy foods and low affordability of healthy foods
• Poor food environments and environments that limit opportunities for physical activity
• Sustained marketing, advertising and promotion of unhealthy food and drinks
• Low awareness, understanding and skills of nutrition
• Limited physical education in schools
• Increased sedentary activities, including time spent on screens
• Known health issues and unknown or undiagnosed health issues
• Social and economic difficulties, such as poverty and low incomes
• Gender and cultural, beliefs and attitudes
• Genetics.
Impacts of Obesity on Australians
One of the most concerning effects of obesity in Australia is its effects on overall health and wellbeing. Obesity has long been linked with several chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). High body mass index (BMI) can also contribute to sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and some types of cancer.
Obesity can also take a toll on one’s mental health and have a lasting impact on one’s socio-economic wellbeing. Socially, there are often substantial levels of discrimination against obese people, leading to decreased self-esteem and quality of life. With the decrease in employment opportunities and income, obese people can experience difficulties in paying for medical bills and other healthcare services.
Prevention and Intervention Strategies
With the prevalence of obesity on the rise in Australia, there are strategies to reduce such alarming statistics. Effective strategies to focus on tackling obesity include both prevention and intervention approaches. These strategies focus on creating healthy environments and promoting healthy behaviours with environmental re-design, seeking policy changes and law regulation.
- Eliminating the availability and promotion of unhealthy foods from vending machines, at schools and in the workplace
- Exercising the taxation of foods high in fat, sugar and salt
- Promoting physical activity through local facilities and transport options
- Improving access to healthy foods and reducing food insecurity
- Restricting unhealthy food advertising and marketing
- Increasing nutrition education among communities
- Providing support services for those who are obese or are becoming obese
- Improving health literacy and increasing awareness of the health risk of obesity.
Obesity in Australia is an increasing public health concern, with more than 10 million adults being classified as obese or overweight. Unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as the limited access to healthy food and the lack of physical activity have been identified as significant contributors. It is necessary to take action and intervene in order to create healthier environments, encouraging behaviour changes and educating the public on the numerous health risks of obesity.
Strategies to reduce obesity include tackling the availability and promotion of unhealthy food, exercising taxations on foods high in fat, sugar and salt and encouraging physical activity by ensuring access to activities, programs and facilities. Improving access to healthy foods and foods security, as well as increasing health literacy and awareness are also necessary components in reducing the prevalence of obesity.