Overview
Excess weight, especially obesity, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some musculoskeletal conditions and some cancers. As the level of excess weight increases, so does the risk of developing these conditions. In addition, being overweight can hamper the ability to control or manage chronic conditions.
Overweight and obesity refers to excess body weight. People who are overweight or obese have higher rates of death and illness than people of healthy weight, particularly from cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some musculoskeletal conditions and some cancers.
The main factors influencing overweight and obesity are poor diet and inadequate physical activity. Increased energy intake from the diet without an increase in energy expenditure through physical activity will result in energy storage as fat and weight gain.
Rates of overweight and obesity are continuing to rise in Australia. Collecting information on these trends is important for managing the associated health problems. The AIHW regularly reports on overweight and obesity as a risk factor for chronic disease. Better data are needed to monitor trends in overweight and obesity among particular groups over time, especially children.
Overweight and obesity can be measured in a number of ways, including the commonly used body mass index (BMI). BMI is an internationally recognised measure of overweight and obesity at a population level for both adults and children (Cole et al. 2000; WHO 2000). For more information and to calculate your BMI see Overweight and obesity an interactive insight.
References
Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM & Dietz WH 2000. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey. BMJ 320:1240–3.
WHO (World Health Organization) 2000. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation. Geneva: WHO.
Featured reports
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Overweight and obesity
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Latest findings
High use of leisure screen-based activities is associated with increased overweight and obesity in children
Children who have an active parent are more likely to be active than those with an inactive parent
In 2011–12, discretionary food contributed towards 39% of daily energy intake in those aged 2–18
One in four (25%) children and adolescents aged 2–17 were overweight or obese in 2017–18
2 in 3 (67%) adults were overweight or obese in 2017–18 – 36% were overweight but not obese and 31% were obese
Australia had the 9th highest proportion of overweight or obese people aged 15+ among 21 OECD member countries in 2021
More reports and statistics on overweight and obesity can be found under Food & nutrition and Physical activity.