Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of many diseases. Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater are classified as obese, but different measures are used for children and teenagers. Chronic conditions and diseases associated with obesity include diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, some cancers and sleep apnoea.

Obesity increases the risk of many diseases. Fat is deposited on our bodies when the energy (kilojoules) we consume from food and drink is greater than the energy used in activities and at rest. Small imbalances over long periods of time can cause you to become overweight or obese.

Obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes are now the world’s biggest killers, causing an estimated 35 million deaths each year, 60% of all deaths globally, with 80% in low- and middle-income countries.

According to the ABS: Australian Health Survey: First results 2011-2012, for Australian adults 18 years and over, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased over time, from 56.3% in 1995, 61.2% in 2007–08, and 62.8% in 2011-2012. Men and women living in inner regional, outer regional and remote areas of Australia are more likely to be overweight or obese, compared with men and women living in major cities.

For Australian children, there has been an increase in the proportion of 5-17 year olds who were overweight or obese since 1995, with 25.7% of children overweight or obese in 2011-12.