Obesity-related Conditions and Heart Disease Risk in Australian Males

This report examines the relationship between obesity-related conditions and the risk of heart disease among overweight or obese males in Australia. It discusses the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the country, the impact of obesity and hypertension on heart health, and the role of dietary factors. The report concludes with recommendations for preventing obesity-related heart diseases.

Academic skills for postgraduate social science
Topic -Can obesity-related conditions among males with different age groups in Australia
who are overweight or having obesity are at a higher risk of developing heart disease?
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Executive Summary
The cardiovascular disease has been prevalent in a larger number of individuals in Australia that
have to lead to mortality and morbidity. The report has shed light on the obesity-related
conditions among the different age of male groups of Australia who are overweight and have a
higher risk of developing heart diseases. Obesity is mainly concerned with the excess amount of
body fat among the people. Whenever the BMI index is higher than 30 then people need to be
aware of the obesity and the heart diseases it can call upon. The study discusses the various risk
factors which have result in the increasing number of CVD cases amongst the Australians.
Cardiovascular diseases in the Australian have not just affected the adults but also the children
and adolescents. The risk factors which have resulted in the death and emergence of other
associated diseases like diabetes, renal failure, and hypertension. The increase in obesity and
overweight had resulted in an increase in the BMI of the people and that has resulted in
cardiovascular diseases. The cardiovascular diseases are mainly escalated version of obesity and
the foods the Australian people consume are the main reason for overweight and cardiovascular
diseases. At the last recommendations are added to prevent obesity and obesity-related
cardiovascular diseases.
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
1. Cardiovascular condition in Australia.........................................................................................4
2. Overweight and obesity leading to heart disease........................................................................4
3. Obesity and Hypertension............................................................................................................5
4. Heart disease and food................................................................................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
Recommendation.............................................................................................................................6
Reference List..................................................................................................................................7
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Introduction
In today’s world obesity is a common term in every nation and affects every aspect of the
people’s life from health to relationships. Fixing obesity needs the requirement of a change in
modern relationship with food. Although the word is very famous people are unaware of the
exact meaning of the word and obesity can be defined as the treatable diseases which are spread
through the world and mainly concerned with the excess amount of the body fat people are
gaining (Bhupathiraju and Hu, 2016). Obesity is a disease which was diagnosed by the health
care providers and is defined as having a BMI of 30 or more than that. Although obesity itself is
a disease it has the ability to make a gateway for more diseases like cardiovascular diseases, high
blood pressure, diabetes, gout, gallbladder diseases, osteoarthritis and many more. In Australia
different age groups of males are overweight and this is leading to the heart diseases rapidly
(Lung et al. 2019).
1. Cardiovascular condition in Australia
According to The American Heart Association (AHA) organisation, the major cause of death in
Australia is due to cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease results in the reduction in the
rate of flow of blood in the body (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017). The disease
has been increasing in number irrespective of the age groups causing the death of 46,106 people
in the year 2009 and in the year 2010. 33% of death is caused due to CVD. Further, in addition
around 27% of the cases, it has been observed that the people in Australia are suffering from
coronary artery disease and 9% of them have lost their lives in stroke. Most of the heart diseases
suffered by the Australian population have found to be due to the obesity which amounts to 7.5%
of the population (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017). According to the
researchers, it is believed that by the end of 2025, 18% of the men, 21% of women will be
suffering from different types of heart disease due to the increase in the level of obesity.
In spite of the increase in the prevalence of the CVD condition, not everyone is aware of its risk
factors. There are several possible reasons for the prevalence of CVD. More the number of
factors the individual has higher will be the risk of the individual suffering from the disease.
Some of the causes like overweight, obesity, lack of adequate physical activity, lack of proper
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nutrition and smoking can lead to CVD. There are times the individual may have a family history
of heart diseases (Banks et al. 2016). Other reasons for the cardiovascular diseases which have
been pointed out by the doctors are the increase in depression and stress in the individuals’ life
that has resulted in the CVD. There are times an increase in hypertension and blood pressure,
increase in the cholesterol levels of the individual, diabetics, polycystic ovary, physical
inactivity, ageing and menopause can also lead to cardiovascular diseases.
According to the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare 2017 and the various studies which
has been conducted by the researcher related to the identification of the various risk factors
related to the heart disease, reports that, 58.2% of the Australian population have poor diet, 95%
of the people have very low or negligible physical activity and around 38.7% of the people were
suffering from CVD due to smoking. In addition, an increase in the number of people suffering
from high blood pressure and dyslipidaemia has also added to the risks related to CVD. It is
observed that the Australian have a misconception related to the causes of death and risk factors
related to heart disease. Due to the persistent lack of understanding amongst the people
regarding the various reasons which have resulted in cardiovascular disease and death due to the
disease have found to aggravate the situation.
2. Overweight and obesity leading to heart disease
The most recent reports generated by the National Health and Nutrition Examination
organisation states that the rate of obesity amongst the Australian population is been
consecutively increasing every year. As per the report from 23 per cent recorded in 1976, the
percentage has increased to 30% of the population (Sarink et al. 2018). In addition, medical and
surgical illness has also led to an increase in the index of body mass (BMI). Invariably with the
increase in the BMI of the body the increase in the prevalence of the cardiovascular disease is
also been observed. Greater is the BMI of the body lesser with be the life expectancy of the
individual (Sanders et al. 2015). Excessive weight especially central and abdominal obesity have
been observed to increase the rate of the risk related to heart disease.
In the 2015 National Health Survey in Australia, 53.6% of Australians reported
being overweight with 18% falling into the "obese" category. Those numbers rose to
65% overweight and 29% obese in 2016 (Heartfoundation.org.au 2019).
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Percentage of overweight in Australia
Age group Male
18-24 26.9%
25-34 41.9%
35-44 47.5%
45-54 46.7%
55-64 44.4%
(Source: Heartfoundation.org.au 2019)
Change in obesity overtime
1995 2007-08 2011-12 2015-16
Overweight (total) 37.6% 36.6% 35.3% 35.5%
Overweight (Males) 45.2% 42.1% 42.2% 42.4%
(Source: Heartfoundation.org.au 2019)
In addition, the prevalence of obesity and the overweight condition is not just observed in the
adults but also seen during childhood and in the adolescent years of the people. This also has
added to the premature mortality of the adults (Rogerson 2016). There had been several links
found to the increase in childhood obesity and overweight of the young generation that has to
lead to CVD. Additionally, the modern environment has resulted in an increase in the inactivity
amongst the children and the teenagers and has also made it difficult for the families to select
healthier food option for the children. Cheaper processed food, packaged food, lack of adequate
open spaces for the children to play has all enhanced the situation. When an individual is obese
in his childhood more often it is observed that they grow up into an obese individual with
symptoms of CVD.
3. Obesity and Hypertension
With the increase in the rate of obesity amongst the people of Australia, there is also an increase
in hypertension amongst the individual which have resulted in the risks of CVD in Australian.
The situation has been termed as obesity-related hypertension. According to the reports of the
Australian government, more than 60% of the people will be suffering from obesity-related
hypertension in the year 2025 (Delaney 2019). In addition to the increase in the number of
obesity and obesity-related hypertension, there had been an incidence of other associated disease
which has emerged amongst the people are diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney diseases
(Thomas, Cooper and Zimmet 2016). Based on the studies of the Australian population it had
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been observed that the two-thirds of the incidence of hypertension are due to the increase in
obesity amongst the people. In addition due to obesity, there is another associated disease which
occurs in the people which had added to hypertension of the individuals. Further, the obesity-
related abnormal condition and impairment in the functioning of the heart may also be present in
the younger age. This is the later years is found to progress for decades resulting in the clinical
manifestation.
4. Heart disease and food
Heart diseases can be categorized by the narrowing of the arteries. A blood clot creates the
barrier which leads to the heart block and these barriers are mainly created by the fatty deposits,
clinging to the artery walls and then clogging the artery. A heart attack occurs when the blood
clotting block the artery and the blood flow is prevented and oxygen supply cuts off and the heart
cells get killed (Health.gov.au. 2019). According to the authors, Wu and Juan relationship
between obesity and the coronary artery diseases are the most common cardiovascular diseases.
According to the authors, BMI and the primary inflammatory factors of obesity which is CRP are
the main reasons for the heart diseases (Wu and Juan 2015). The heart failure risks are much
more with the patients who are having high BMI.
There are many factors which are associated with the building up of the fatty deposits. Mostly
the Australian people are quite busy in their life and don't eat healthy foods, instead of it, they eat
readymade fatty foods and the saturated fat increase the blood cholesterol amount which leads to
heart attacks. Due to having the saturated fat in their body the stomach is fully equipped with the
bulk of fat and has a greater risk of calling heart diseases (Betterhealth.vic.gov.au . 2019). High
blood pressure is another disease which comes from the high obesity and the arteries become less
elastic and the blood volume increases which again lead to the damage of the heart. In Australia
due to the increased amount of IT farms and the desk job works the males are not having time for
the physical activity. All day they sit on the comfortable chairs with the AC and consuming oily
greasy and fatty foods which are causing the increased rate of obesity and heart diseases.
Cardiovascular diseases are considered as the leading cause of death as well as diseases burden
in Australian males of different age (Lung et al. 2019).
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Foods which block arteries are ice cream, whole milk, sour cream, butter, cream cheese, egg
yolk, fatty meats, fast food, fried chicken, burgers, pastries, chips and many more. These foods
are fully incorporated with the saturated fat as well as the Trans fat which creates blockages in
the arteries. Rather than fixating on the bad foods, it is considered wise to focus on a diet of
everyday life. The excessive alcohol consumption also leads to obesity, it creates bear belly and
that bulk of fat creates obesity. Mostly Australian males suffer from uncontrolled diabetes and
that damages the artery walls associating the coronary heart diseases. Obese people generally
develop type 2 diabetes than people of normal weight. In Australia, among the working males
38% are suffering from obesity and 29% are having a high risk of having cardiovascular diseases
(Health.gov.au. 2019). From the article written by Delaney, it has been evident that hypertension
is the escalated version of the obesity and reduction of the body weight and the maintenance of
the healthy lifestyle can improve the hypertension conditions of Australian males.
Conclusion
The above report has shed light on the obesity-related conditions among males of different age
groups in Australia who are overweight or having obesity, are at a higher risk of developing
heart diseases. The main causes which are discussed in the report are overweight and obesity
related to heart diseases, obesity and hypertension and heart diseases and food. In Australia due
to the extreme work pressure and for most of the industry is IT based, so males of different age
are having the obesity and mostly unaware of the cardiovascular diseases they are going to suffer
that escalate from the obesity. The BMI index is generally high among the Australian males and
obesity which is mainly determined by the BMI index need to keep under control. The
overweight not only harming the health but the social life too and for preventing people from low
self-esteem and body shame it is necessary to be aware of the health and consume healthy foods
for long and happy living.
Recommendation
 Controlling the blood pressure and keeping the triglyceride and the cholesterol level in
check is the recommendation of the people having obesity. High blood pressure and the
high level of the cholesterol clog the arteries and lead t the coronary artery diseases as
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well as heart attacks. People are recommended to check the blood pressure in regular
basis and consume cholesterol controlling medicines.
 Eating a healthy diet can limit the saturated fat, added sugars and foods with high
sodium. If plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits and the whole grains are taken then there
will be very less chance of being overweight and having obesity. Obesity is linked with
heart diseases and controlling the weight can reduce the risk factors.
 Mostly Australian people are unaware of the death risk caused by obesity and consume
an enormous amount of fatty and greasy foods although having over-weight. There
should be an awareness campaign to make the people aware about the diseases which
obesity can do and people are recommended to have free heart checkups in the blood
donation camps. Over there when the blood is checked then the amount of cholesterol
and the triglycerides are also checked and can be given as a report so people can be aware
of their health condition and take necessary steps.
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Reference List
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019. ‘Impact of overweight and obesity as a risk
factor for chronic conditions’, Australian Government. Available at:
://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/f8618e51-c1c4-4dfb-85e0-54ea19500c91/20700.pdf.aspx?
inline=true [Accessed on 30th May 2019]
Banks, E., Crouch, S.R., Korda, R.J., Stavreski, B., Page, K., Thurber, K.A. and Grenfell, R.,
2016. The absolute risk of cardiovascular disease events, and blood pressure‐and lipid‐lowering
therapy in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 204(8), pp.320-320.
Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. 2019. Heart disease and food. Available at: [Accessed on 30th May,
2019]
Bhupathiraju, S.N. and Hu, F.B., 2016. Epidemiology of obesity and diabetes and their
cardiovascular complications. Circulation research, 118(11), pp.1723-1735.
Delaney, J, 2019, ‘Hypertension and Obesity: How Weight-loss Affects Hypertension’, OAC,
Available at: [Accessed on 30th May 2019]
Health.gov.au. 2019. Cardiovascular disease. Available at: [Accessed on 30th May 2019]
Heartfoundation.org,au. 2019. Available at: [Accessed on 29th May 2019]
Lung, T., Jan, S., Tan, E.J., Killedar, A. and Hayes, A., 2019. Impact of overweight, obesity and
severe obesity on life expectancy of Australian adults. International Journal of Obesity, 43(4),
p.782.
Mozaffarian, D., 2017. Foods, obesity, and diabetes—are all calories created equal?. Nutrition
reviews, 75(suppl_1), pp.19-31.
Rogerson, M.C., Le Grande, M.R., Dunstan, D.W., Magliano, D.J., Murphy, B.M., Salmon, J.,
Gardiner, P.A. and Jackson, A.C., 2016. Television viewing time and 13-year mortality in adults
with cardiovascular disease: data from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study
(AusDiab). Heart, Lung and Circulation, 25(8), pp.829-836.
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Sanders, R.H., Han, A., Baker, J.S. and Cobley, S., 2015. Childhood obesity and its physical and
psychological co-morbidities: a systematic review of Australian children and
adolescents. European journal of paediatrics, 174(6), pp.715-746.
Shrink, D., Nedkoff, L., Briffa, T., Shaw, J.E., Magliano, D.J., Stevenson, C., Mannan, H.,
Knuiman, M., Hung, J., Hankey, G.J. and Norman, P., 2018. Trends in age-and sex-specific
prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease in Western Australia. European journal of
preventive cardiology, 25(12), pp.1280-1290.
Thomas, M.C., Cooper, M.E. and Zimmet, P., 2016. Changing epidemiology of type 2 diabetes
mellitus and associated chronic kidney disease. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 12(2), p.73.
Upadhyay, J., Farr, O., Perakakis, N., Ghaly, W. and Mantzoros, C., 2018. Obesity as a
disease. Medical Clinics, 102(1), pp.13-33.
Wu, J.L. and Juan, C.W., 2015. Obesity and Heart Diseases, a Worsened Epidemic in Recent
Decades. In Coronary Artery Disease-Assessment, Surgery, Prevention. 2(3), pp.23-34.
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