Lexi Webster
Obesity is a significant public health concern in Australia, with a recent increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese adults. In 2022, two-thirds of Australian adults were classified as overweight or obese, with a higher prevalence among men than women. Geographic remoteness is positively associated with obesity risk, as those in regional and remote areas of Australia are more likely to be overweight or obese than those in major cities. Additionally, socioeconomic factors play a role, with children from low socioeconomic backgrounds being more likely to be obese. Furthermore, First Nations people in Australia have higher rates of overweight and obesity than non-Indigenous adults. These disparities highlight the need for public health interventions to address the rising obesity rates and its associated health risks in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geographic location | People living in regional and remote areas of Australia are more likely to be obese than those in major cities. |
| Indigenous status | First Nations adults are 1.2 times more likely to be living with overweight or obesity than non-Indigenous adults. |
| Gender | Men are more likely to be overweight or obese than women. |
| Age | The likelihood of being overweight or obese increases with age. |
| Socioeconomic status | People living in areas of disadvantage are more likely to be overweight or obese. Children from low socioeconomic backgrounds are at a higher risk of obesity. |
| Military service | People who have served in the Australian Defence Force are more likely to be overweight or obese. |
| Disability status | People living with a disability are more likely to be overweight or obese. |
| Marital status | People living in lone-person households are more likely to be overweight or obese. |
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What You'll Learn
- Geographic remoteness: People in regional and remote areas are more likely to be obese
- Socioeconomic status: Obesity is more prevalent in lower socioeconomic areas
- Indigenous Australians: First Nations adults are more likely to be obese
- Gender: More men are overweight, but similar numbers of men and women are obese
- Age: Older adults are more likely to be obese, with a peak among those aged 65–74
Geographic remoteness: People in regional and remote areas are more likely to be obese
In Australia, geographic remoteness is positively associated with a higher likelihood of obesity. A retrospective longitudinal study analysed data from 199,675 observations of individuals aged 15 and above over the period 2006 to 2019. The study revealed that adults from regional city urban and rural areas were more likely to be obese compared to those from major city urban areas.
In 2022-23, 64.0% of Australians living in major cities were living with overweight or obesity. This number rose to 69.3% in inner regional Australia and 70.3% in outer regional and remote Australia. The National Health Survey does not collect data from people living in areas classified as very remote.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity varies by geographic remoteness. In 2019, the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and combined overweight and obesity among Australian adults was 34%, 26%, and 60%, respectively. Adults from regional city urban and rural areas were 1.53 and 1.32 times more likely to be overweight compared to those from major city urban areas. The likelihood of being obese was 1.49 and 1.31 times higher among adults living in regional city urban and rural areas, respectively, compared to those living in major cities.
There is also a possibility of misreporting of height and weight that differs by geographic remoteness. Future research should focus on prospective longitudinal studies to further explain the role of geographic remoteness in excessive weight gain over time.
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Socioeconomic status: Obesity is more prevalent in lower socioeconomic areas
Obesity is a significant public health concern in Australia, and it is more prevalent in lower socioeconomic areas. This disparity is evident across all age groups, from children to adults.
Among Australian children and adolescents, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be overweight or obese. In 2022-23, one-third of boys and 34.6% of girls from the lowest socioeconomic positions were living with overweight or obesity. This is in contrast to those from the highest socioeconomic positions, where the rates were 25.2% for boys and 16.7% for girls. This trend is not limited to a specific age group, as children and adolescents aged 2-17 in the lowest socioeconomic areas had a higher prevalence of overweight or obesity (34%) compared to those in the highest socioeconomic areas (21%).
The situation is similar for Australian adults, with a greater proportion of individuals in the lowest socioeconomic areas being overweight or obese. In 2022-23, 68% of adults in the lowest socioeconomic areas were living with overweight or obesity, compared to 60% in the highest socioeconomic areas. This disparity is even more pronounced when specifically considering obesity, with 36% of men and 38% of women in the lowest socioeconomic areas being obese, compared to the higher socioeconomic areas.
The link between socioeconomic status and obesity can be attributed to various factors. One factor is health-related behaviors such as diet, physical activity, and sedentary lifestyles, which are influenced by socioeconomic background. Additionally, economic and social barriers can limit access to healthy options, and geographic remoteness is positively associated with a higher likelihood of obesity. These factors contribute to the higher prevalence of obesity in lower socioeconomic areas.
To address these disparities, public health policies and intervention programs have been designed to promote lifestyle changes and create a healthier environment for children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. These initiatives aim to reduce the obesogenic environment and encourage positive behavioral changes to curb the rising prevalence of obesity in lower socioeconomic areas.
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Indigenous Australians: First Nations adults are more likely to be obese
Obesity is a significant health concern in Australia, with two-thirds of Australian adults classified as overweight or obese. In 2022-23, 34% were overweight, and 31.7% were obese. The prevalence of obesity is rising, with severe obesity (BMI over 40) more than doubling from 2.2% in 2007-08 to 4.6% in 2022-23.
Indigenous Australians, or First Nations people, are disproportionately affected by obesity. While Indigenous Australians aged 15 and over are less likely to be overweight than non-Indigenous Australians (29% and 35%, respectively), they are 1.5 times more likely to be obese (46% compared to 30%). This disparity is even more pronounced when comparing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians aged 18 and over, with 47% of Indigenous Australians in this age group living with obesity, compared to 31% of non-Indigenous Australians.
Several factors contribute to the higher rates of obesity among Indigenous Australians. One factor is diet. Indigenous Australians who meet daily fruit and vegetable intake guidelines are less likely to be obese than those who do not consume the recommended amounts. Additionally, economic and social barriers, as well as the remoteness of certain areas, can limit access to healthy food options. Indigenous children aged 2-14 are more likely to be overweight or obese than their non-Indigenous peers (37% vs. 25%), with the obesity rate increasing from age 2 and peaking at 14-17 years (16%).
Community-led initiatives can play a crucial role in addressing obesity among Indigenous Australians. For example, the 'Knockout Health Challenge' in New South Wales successfully promoted healthy lifestyles and increased physical activity, fruit, and vegetable consumption among participants. Such programs can also have additional benefits, such as improved mental health and increased community pride and connectedness.
While obesity is a complex issue influenced by various factors, addressing it is essential to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous Australians. By focusing on healthy lifestyle interventions and increasing access to nutritious foods, it is possible to mitigate the impact of obesity and reduce health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
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Gender: More men are overweight, but similar numbers of men and women are obese
While obesity is a growing public health concern in Australia, there are variations in obesity rates across gender, age, and geographic location. According to the National Health Survey of 2022, 65.8% of Australians aged 18 and over were classified as overweight or obese. This includes 34% who were overweight and 31.7% who were obese.
When it comes to gender, there are some differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity between men and women. Overall, more men are overweight than women. In 2022, 38.6% of men were classified as overweight, compared to 29.6% of women. However, when it comes to obesity, the proportions are similar for both genders. In the same year, 32.5% of men and 30.9% of women were living with obesity. This indicates that while more men tend to be overweight, the difference in obesity rates between the genders is less pronounced.
These gender differences in weight status may be influenced by various factors. For example, a study found that young boys who were overweight spent more time with their parents, which could be related to the socio-economic status of the parents. Lower parental education levels have been associated with a higher risk of children being overweight. Additionally, boys who spent more time with their parents were found to engage in more sedentary activities, such as watching television or playing video games, rather than participating in physical activities.
In addition to gender, obesity rates in Australia also vary across geographic locations. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher for adults living outside major cities. In 2022, 64.0% of Australians in major cities were living with overweight or obesity, compared to 69.3% in inner regional areas and 70.3% in outer regional and remote areas. Geographic remoteness is positively associated with a higher likelihood of obesity. This variation in obesity rates across geographic areas may be influenced by economic and social factors, as well as access to healthy food options and opportunities for physical activity.
Obesity is a significant health issue in Australia, and addressing it requires a multifaceted approach. Public health measures should focus on contextual factors and behavioural characteristics to curb the rising prevalence of obesity. Additionally, addressing social and economic inequalities and promoting healthy lifestyles in disadvantaged areas may help reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australia.
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Age: Older adults are more likely to be obese, with a peak among those aged 65–74
Obesity is a significant public health concern in Australia, with a recent rise in the prevalence of obesity among adults. In 2022-23, two-thirds of Australian adults were classified as overweight (34%) or obese (31.7%). This marks an increase from 2007-08, when the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 61.1%. The prevalence of obesity in Australia is not limited to adults, as almost half of First Nations people aged 18 and over were living with obesity in 2018-19.
Several factors contribute to the varying rates of obesity across different age groups in Australia. Age is one of the critical factors influencing the likelihood of obesity. Older adults, specifically those aged 65–74, are more likely to be obese, with a peak prevalence within this age range. This trend may be attributed to various factors, including physiological changes associated with ageing, lifestyle factors, and generational differences in dietary and physical activity habits.
The risk of obesity increases with age due to several factors. One factor is the decrease in physical activity levels that often occurs with ageing. Older adults may experience a decline in mobility, flexibility, and energy levels, leading to a less active lifestyle. Additionally, muscle mass tends to decrease with age, while fat mass increases, contributing to a higher body mass index (BMI). Ageing can also bring social changes, such as retirement, which can impact daily routines and physical activity levels.
Furthermore, older adults may experience age-related health conditions that contribute to weight gain. For example, joint pain or arthritis can make physical activity more challenging. Additionally, certain medications used to treat age-related health issues may have weight gain as a side effect. It's also important to consider the potential impact of generational differences in dietary habits. Older adults may have grown up during a time when dietary recommendations and food options differed from today's standards, potentially leading to less healthy eating habits.
To summarise, age is a significant factor in the prevalence of obesity in Australia, with older adults being more susceptible. The peak prevalence of obesity among those aged 65–74 years old highlights the importance of targeted interventions and support for this age group. By understanding the factors contributing to obesity in older adults, public health initiatives can focus on promoting healthy ageing, including physical activity programmes and nutritional guidance tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by older individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
People in Australia living in outer regional and remote areas are more likely to be obese than those in major cities.
People living in areas of disadvantage are more likely to be obese. Children from low-socioeconomic backgrounds are also more likely to be obese.
Based on data from 2018-19, 74% of Indigenous Australians over the age of 18 were living with overweight or obesity.
In 2022, Australia ranked 10th out of 21 countries with available data for the proportion of people aged 15 and over who were living with overweight or obesity.
The prevalence of obesity in Australia has increased over time. In 2022-23, two-thirds of Australian adults were living with overweight or obesity, with 34% classified as overweight and 31.7% as obese.
