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Studies reveal sharp rise in obesity across most ages
Australian adults in all but one age range are significantly more likely to be obese now than in recent decades, according to statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The new statistics found 63% of adults are overweight or obese, up from 57% in 1995.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW’s) Overweight and obesity in Australia: A birth cohort analysis and A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia have revealed a startling increase in people’s likelihood to experience overweight and obesity, as well as the number of people who are currently in the category.
Overweight and obesity in Australia: A birth cohort analysis found:
- at age 18–21, 15.2% of those born in 1994–97 were obese in 2014–15, compared to 8% of those born in 1974–77
- at age 22–25, 9.3% of those born in 1990–93 were severely obese, compared to 3.1% of those born in 1970–73
- at age 2–5, 8.8% of those born in 2010–13 were obese, compared to 4.2% of those born in 1990–93.
A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia found:
- nearly two-thirds of adults (63%) are overweight or obese, up from 57% in 1995
- one-quarter of children and adolescents are overweight or obese
- rates of severe obesity – a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more – have almost doubled to 9% in 2014–15 from 5% in 1995.
Dr Liz Sturgiss, a GP with a special interest in overweight and obesity, attributes much of this growth to an ‘obesogenic’ environment.
‘The high prevalence of obesity in our communities suggests that there is a problem with how our are lives are set up – it is not easy to live in a way that results in a healthy weight,’ she told
newsGP. ‘We are busy, with little time for physical activity or preparing healthy meals.
‘It would be great to see government action to push back against factors that contribute to the obesogenic environment. [For example], accessible physical activity space, safe public transport, and access to affordable, healthy nutrition are essential.’
As trusted sources of healthcare advice in the community, GPs are important in efforts to tackle overweight and obesity – in terms of both prevention and management.
‘We should be talking about good nutrition and physical activity with all patients,’ Dr Sturgiss said. ‘As a GP, I ask patients if they would mind talking about their weight in a consultation. It is important to recognise weight gain early, as once weight has been on for a while it is very difficult to get it off again.
‘I have found most patients are happy to talk about their weight or, if they don't want to that day, they will come back to me about it.’
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