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.

More reports and statistics on overweight & obesity can be found under Food & nutrition and Physical activity.

Latest findings

The prevalence of obesity among people born in 1973–1982 increased from 6.5% at age 13–22 to 31% at age 35–44 25% of Australian children and adolescents were overweight or obese in 2017–18 Young people aged 15–24 in 2017–18 were more likely to be overweight or obese than those in 1995 and 2007–08 For people born in 1963–1972, the median BMI increased from 24.4 kg/m2 at age 23–32 to 28.1 kg/m2 at age 45–54 Overweight and obesity in Australian children and adolescents has stayed relatively stable since 2007–08 (25%) For most age groups, those born most recently were more likely to be obese than those born 10 years earlier For every age group, the median BMI of those born most recently was higher than that of those born 10 years earlier Younger children more commonly change weight categories (to or from overweight or obese) than older children Children and adolescents living in areas of higher disadvantage are more likely to be overweight or obese 38% of Indigenous children and adolescents were overweight or obese in 2018–19, increasing from 31% in 2012–13

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Highlights

1 in 4(25%) children and adolescents aged 2–17 and 2 in 3 (67%) adults were overweight or obese in 2017–18
38%of Indigenous children and adolescents were overweight or obese in 2018–19, increasing from 31% in 2012–13
The prevalenceof obesity among people born in 1973–1982 increased from 7% at age 13–22 to 31% at age 35–44
Australian dataon death and disability related to overweight and obesity are underdeveloped
8.4%of the burden of disease in Australia was attributable to overweight and obesity in 2015
Young peopleaged 15–24 in 2017–18 were more likely to be overweight or obese than those in 1995 and 2007–08
1 in 3(31%) Australian adults were obese in 2017–18, an increase from 1 in 5 (19%) in 1995
22,700weight loss surgery separations were recorded in 2014–15, an increase from 9,300 in 2005–06