Indicator 6.2 Prevalence of overweight or obesity by mental health status
Considerations
- Due to significant data gaps, this report does not include data for culturally and linguistically diverse people and includes only very limited information relating to those with mental health problems. Further data development is required to examine outcomes within these priority groups.
- NHS estimates of people with mental or behavioural conditions are based on self-reported data and will differ from those obtained from a diagnostic tool such as that used in the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (ABS 2008). Refer to AIHW’s Mental health snapshot published in Australia’s health 2020 for more information.
Overview
In 2017–18, based on self-reported data in the National Health Survey (NHS), the age-standardised prevalence of overweight or obesity among Australian adults aged 18 years and over with a self-reported mental or behavioural condition was slightly higher than adults with no mental or behavioural condition (69% and 66%, respectively).
Age and sex
The age-standardised prevalence of overweight or obesity was similar for men with and without a self-reported mental or behavioural condition. Among women, the age-standardised prevalence of overweight or obesity was higher among those with a self-reported mental or behavioural condition compared to those without a mental or behavioural condition (65% and 57%, respectively) (Figures 6.2.1 and 6.2.2).
Population groups
After adjusting for age, the prevalence of overweight or obesity, both for those with and without a self-reported mental or behavioural condition, was similar across socioeconomic and remoteness areas (Figure 6.2.2).
State and territory
Across the states and territories, the prevalence of overweight or obesity among adults with a self-reported mental or behavioural condition ranged from 64% in the Australian Capital Territory to 75% in the Northern Territory. Among those with no mental or behavioural condition, the prevalence of overweight or obesity was similar by state and territory, ranging from 64% to 69%.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
In 2018–19, based on self-reported data from the 2018–19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS), 80% of Indigenous adults with a mental or behavioural condition were overweight or obese. Among those with no self-reported mental or behavioural condition, the prevalence of overweight or obesity was 75%.
Based on estimates from the 2018–19 NATSIHS and 2017–18 NHS, a higher proportion of Indigenous adults with a mental or behavioural condition were overweight or obese than non-Indigenous adults (80% compared with 69%, respectively) (Figure 6.2.2).
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