The proportion of Australian adults classified as obese increased to nearly one third in 2022-24, as per a government report. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) revealed that 32.8% of Australians aged 18 and above were obese during this period, up from 31.3% in 2017-18 and 27.9% in 2014-15.
Over 67.1% of Australian adults were either obese or overweight in 2022-24, with 13.0% classified as severely obese, compared to 11.7% in 2017-18. Men showed a higher likelihood of being obese or overweight, while women were more prone to severe obesity, according to Xinhua news agency.
Amy Young, a spokesperson for AIHW, highlighted that overweight and obesity pose a significant health challenge in Australia, affecting individuals across all age groups. She emphasized that these conditions have become the primary risk factor for ill health and mortality in the country, surpassing tobacco use.
In the age group of 5-17, 28.1% of children were overweight or obese in 2022-24, up from 24.9% in 2017-18. The AIHW reported that Australia spent 800 million Australian dollars ($553.4 million) on obesity treatment in 2023-24, with an additional 10 billion AUD (6.9 billion USD) allocated to health issues linked to being overweight or obese.
Obesity, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, is a complex chronic disease that heightens the risk of severe health problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially defines obesity as a calorie imbalance influenced by genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.
