Obesity and injury in the National Hospital Morbidity Database

Obesity and injury are major health burdens on society. This report studies the feasibility of using the National Hospital Morbidity Database to investigate the relationship between obesity and hospitalised injury in Australia. The database does not currently provide a reliable basis for measuring obesity among admitted patients or for assessing the characteristics of injury cases with obesity. Inclusion of height and weight information in separations data would enable analysis of the effects of body mass index on injury occurrence, treatment and outcomes.

ISSN 1444-3791; ISBN 978-1-74249-423-4; Cat. no. INJCAT 158; 50pp.; $12