Diabetes risk factors

Overweight and obesity among Australians is rising in both males and females

• Overweight, and in particular obesity, are key risk factors for the development of diabetes. Increased body weight can lead to increased insulin resistance and defects in insulin secretion (AIHW 2008).
• More than half of adults were overweight or obese in 2007–08, based on self-reported BMI data from the National Health Survey (NHS). Men had higher rates of overweight or obesity than women (63% compared with 48%).
• Rates of overweight or obesity have risen from 39.2% in 1989–90, to 55.4% in 2007–08 (Figure 1).
• Being overweight and/or obese increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Figure 1: Rates of overweight or obesity among Australian adults, based on BMI, 1989–90 to 2007–08

Notes
1. Directly age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population aged 18 years and over.
2. Includes only those of whom body mass index (BMI) was known.
3. Based on self-reported data.
4. Note that measured data collected by the 2007–08 NHS indicated the underlying rate of overweight and obesity is slightly higher.
5. Data presented for 1989–90 are for persons aged 20 years or more whereas the data for other years are for persons aged 18 years or more.

Sources: AIHW analysis of ABS NHS 1989–90, 1995, 2001, 2004–05 and 2007–08 (Reissue). Table 2

For more information, see Diabetes indicators in Australia.

Over 70% of Australian adults aged 15 years or over did little or no exercise in 2007–08

• Participation in regular physical activity is recommended to aid in preventing Type 2 diabetes (AIHW 2008).
• Females had higher rates of little or no exercise (76%) compared with males (69%), based on self-reported data from the NHS 2007–08.
• The NHS 2007–08 considers physical activity undertaken in the last two weeks, expressed as walking, moderate exercise or vigorous exercise for the purpose of sport, recreation of fitness.

For more information, see Diabetes indicators in Australia.

A large proportion of Australian adults are not meeting healthy eating guidelines

• A high fibre diet, with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, is recommended to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (AIHW 2008).
• Over 90% of Australian adults did not consume enough vegetables in 2007–08, based on self-reported data from the NHS.
• Over the same period, 49% of adults did not consume enough fruit (Figure 2).
• Fruit and vegetable intake has been used to indicate a poor diet.

Figure 2: Dietary risk factors among Australian adults, 2004–05 to 2007–08

Notes
1. Directly age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population aged 18 years and over.
2. Based on self-reported data.

Source: AIHW analysis of ABS National Health Survey 2004–05 and 2007–08 (Reissue) Confidentialised Unit Record File. Table 3

For more information, see Diabetes indicators in Australia.

2.8 million Australians aged 14+ smoked daily in 2007

• Tobacco smoking increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and diabetes-associated complications (AIHW 2008).
• Males were more likely to smoke daily than females (16% compared with 14%). (Table 1).

(a) Smoked at least 100 cigarettes (manufactured and/or roll-your-own) or the equivalent amount of tobacco in their life, and reports no longer smoking.
(b) Never smoked more than 100 cigarettes (manufactured and/or roll-your-own) or the equivalent amount of tobacco.

For more information, see 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report.

Half of Australians aged 25+ had high total cholesterol levels in 1999–2000

• People with diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes, often have high cholesterol levels (AIHW 2008).
• Males had a higher rate of high total cholesterol than females up until age 55 years, but above that age females were more likely than males to have high total cholesterol.

For more information, see Prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease: targeting risk factors.

Rates of measured high blood pressure steadily declined between 1980 and 2000 in urban areas of Australia

• High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for the development of diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and diabetic eye disease (AIHW 2008).
• Males had consistently higher measured blood pressure than females (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Proportion of adults with measured high blood pressure, 1980 to 1999–2000

Notes
1. Age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population.
2. People aged 25–64 years, in urban areas only.
3. Based on the WHO definition of high blood pressure.

Source: AIHW analysis of the 1980, 1983 and 1989 Risk Factor Prevalence Study surveys, the 1995 National Nutrition Survey and the 1999–2000 AusDiab. Table 4  

For more information, see Source data and Australia’s Health 2010.

Further information

AIHW 2012. Diabetes indicators in Australia

AIHW 2011. 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report

AIHW 2010. Australia’s Health 2010

AIHW 2009. Prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease: targeting risk factors

AIHW 2008. Diabetes: Australian facts 2008

AIHW 2011. Diabetes prevalence in Australia: Detailed estimates for 2007–08

Definitions

BMI

Body mass index (BMI) is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. The standard classification of BMI recommended by the World Health Organization for adults is based on the association between BMI and illness and mortality, and is as follows:

• underweight: BMI < 18.5
• healthy weight: BMI ≥ 18.5 and BMI < 25
• overweight but not obese: BMI ≥ 25 and BMI < 30
• obese BMI ≥ 30.

High blood pressure

The definition of high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) can vary but the one used here is from the World Health Organization: a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or more or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or more, or [the person is] receiving medication for high blood pressure.

High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver and carried by the blood to the rest of the body. Its natural function is to provide material for cell walls and for steroid hormones. If levels in the blood are too high, this can lead to an artery-clogging process known as atherosclerosis that can trigger heart attacks, angina or stroke. In general, a total cholesterol level of 5.5 mmol/L or more is considered high.

Little or no exercise

‘Sedentary’ or ‘low’ levels of exercise from the NHS have been used to indicate whether people undertake little or no exercise. For more information, see the National indicators for monitoring diabetes.

Poor diet

Consumption of fruit and vegetables has been used to indicate whether people are meeting Australian dietary guidelines. For more information on these guidelines, see the National indicators for monitoring diabetes.

Risk factor

The term given to a range of health-related behaviours and biomedical conditions that can impact on the health of an individual in a negative way.

Source data

Notes
1. Directly age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population aged 18 years and over.
2. Includes only those of whom body mass index (BMI) was known.
3. Based on self-reported data.
4. Note that measured data collected by the 2007–08 NHS indicated the underlying rate of overweight and obesity is slightly higher.
5.Data presented for 1989­–90 are for persons aged 20 years or more whereas the data for other years are for persons aged 18 years or more.

Source: AIHW analysis of ABS NHS 1989–90, 1995, 2001, 2004–05 and 2007–08 (Reissue) Confidentialised Unit Record File.

Notes
1. Directly age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population aged 18 years and over.
2. Includes only those for whom fruit, vegetable and milk consumption was known.
3. Based on self-reported data.

Source: AIHW analysis of ABS NHS 2004–05 and 2007–08 (Reissue) Confidentialised Unit Record File.

Notes
1. Age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population.
2. People aged 25–64 years, in urban areas only.
3. Based on the WHO definition of high blood pressure.

Sources: AIHW analysis of the 1980, 1983 and 1989 Risk Factor Prevalence Study surveys, the 1995 National Nutrition Survey and the 1999–2000 AusDiab.