More than two-thirds of Australians are obese or overweight, according to new research released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) on Wednesday.
According to the study, 13 million adults have excess weight, while 27 per cent of children between the ages of two to 17 are obese or overweight.
It has become the the main risk factor leading to an early death, surpassing tobacco use.
The rate of obesity, which is measured by calculating weight circumference, has nearly doubled from 1995 to 2022-24.
In the early 1990s only 46 per cent of Australians aged 45 to 54 were overweight or obese, and the figure grew to 55 per cent over the following decade.
The research found that more men than women are overweight, but more women spend money on getting treated, with $570 million was spent annually compared to $210 million on males.
During 2023-2024 Australia spent about $800 million to treat obesity, while the bill for other health conditions linked to being overweight was $10 billion.
According to the AIHW, while many factors contributing to obesity and weight gain are out of a person’s control, individuals are often stigmatised.
“People living with overweight or obesity experience conscious and unconscious weight stigma in many social settings, due to the perception that obesity is a personal responsibility. This disregards the complex nature of overweight and obesity.”
The AIHW said a holistic approach may be required depending on the individual, this may include weight-loss surgery in addition to changes in lifestyle.
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