OVERWEIGHT & OBESITY STATISTICS

·         Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater. Obesity is classified as a BMI of 30 or greater.  Body Mass Index is explained at www.mydr.com.au/tools/bodymass.asp

·         The most recent national data based on self-reported height and weight, the 2001 National Health Survey (NHS), showed 2.4 million Australian adults were estimated to be obese - 16% of men and 17% of women aged 18 years and over, had a BMI of 30 or more (Australia’s Health 2004).

·         Obesity could be a legacy of 1990s. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says that the prevalence of obesity rose alarmingly in the 1990’s – by 71% for men, and 80% for women (A growing problem: Trends and patterns in overweight and obesity 1980 to 2001, AIHW 2003)]

·         It is estimated that in Australia, 20-25% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese.  The equals a total of one million overweight or obese children and adolescents.

·         The World Health Organisation has declared obesity a “global epidemic” (Australia’s Health 2004).

·         A further 4.9 million Australian adults were estimated to be overweight but not obese (42% of men and 25% of women aged 18 years and over, with a BMI of 25 or more but less than 30) (Australia’s Health 2004).