Rising Obesity Rates in Australia: 32.8% of Adults Affected, Report Reveals

Canberra, June 24: Obesity is becoming a rapidly growing health issue in Australia. A new report released by the government reveals that nearly one-third of adults in the country are now affected by obesity.

According to the report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 32.8% of Australian adults aged 18 and older were found to be obese during the period from 2022 to 2024. This figure has been steadily increasing, up from 31.3% in 2017-18 and 27.9% in 2014-15.

The report indicates that 67.1% of adults were either obese or overweight during 2022-24. Additionally, the number of individuals classified as severely obese has also risen, with 13% of adults affected in 2022-24, compared to 11.7% in 2017-18.

The study also highlighted that men are more likely to be overweight or obese than women. However, the issue of severe obesity is more prevalent among women.

AIHW spokesperson Amy Young stated that obesity and overweight have become significant health challenges for Australia. She noted that this issue is growing over time and affects nearly all age groups.

According to Young, in recent years, obesity and overweight have emerged as the leading risk factors for disease and death in Australia, surpassing tobacco use.

The report also raised concerns regarding children, revealing that 28.1% of children aged 5 to 17 were found to be overweight or obese during 2022-24, an increase from 24.9% in 2017-18.

In terms of economic impact, approximately AUD 800 million (USD 553.4 million) was spent on obesity treatment nationwide in 2023-24. Additionally, AUD 10 billion (USD 6.9 billion) was spent on treating diseases related to obesity and overweight.

Experts indicate that obesity is a complex and chronic condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the body, which increases the risk of several serious health problems. According to the World Health Organization, this primarily results from an imbalance between calorie intake and expenditure, although many other factors also play a significant role.

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