Living with overweight or obesity can have major impacts on a person’s physical and mental health and wellbeing. It is the second leading risk factor for ill-health and premature mortality in Australia. It increases the risk of many preventable chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and many types of cancer. This web report provides an overview of the prevalence of Australians living with overweight and obesity.
- Cat. no: PHE 251
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One in four (25%) children and adolescents aged 2–17 were overweight or obese in 2017–18
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2 in 3 (67%) adults were overweight or obese in 2017–18 – 36% were overweight but not obese and 31% were obese
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Australia had the 9th highest proportion of overweight or obese people aged 15+ among 21 OECD member countries in 2021
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60% of men and 66% of women in 2017–18 had a waist circumference that indicated a high risk of metabolic complications