Obesity: Definition, Statistics, Tips, and Supportive Organizations in Australia

This article discusses the definition of obesity, statistics on obesity in Australia, tips on how to reduce obesity, and supportive organizations in Australia. It also provides information on physical activity and lifestyle tips and diet tips to reduce obesity.

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Obesity
(Author’s name)
(Institutional Affiliation)

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Obesity
Definition
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight and obesity are
usually defined as abnormal body fat accumulation that presents a risk to health and
wellbeing of a person(WHO, 2018). Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to measure and
diagnose obesity which includes an individual weight divided by the square of her or his
weight. An individual with a BMI of more than 30 is usually considered as obese whereas a
BMI equal to or greater than 25 is considered overweight(WHO, 2018).
Obesity Statistics in Australia
According to the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare (AIHW) 2017, one-quarter of children in
Australia are either obese or overweight(Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017b). In 2014-2015
fiscal years, one in five of Australian children aged
between 2 to 4 years were either obese or overweight
accounting for 20% of all total children in the
country. Out of this, 9% were obese and 11% were
overweight( Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare, 2017a). One in four of all Australian
children aged 5 to 17 years is either obese or
overweight where 7% are obese and 20% overweight.
Obesity prevalence in
children aged 5-17 increased
between 1995 to 2007-2008 by
almost double

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For both boys and girls aged between 2 and 4 years,
and 5 and 17 years.
In 2014-205 about 63% of all Australian adults were either obese or
overweight(Hamann, 2017). In 1995, the provenance of obesity rose by 57%. Severe
obesity in Australia has almost doubled from 5 % in 1995 to 9% in 2015. From 2014 to
2015, 56% of women were obese or overweight as compared to 71% of men. The figure
below shows specific percentage of men and women who were either obese or overweight in
the same period.
More Men were overweight or obese in the year 2014-2015
Obese or overweight 71% 56%
Overweight but not obese 42% 29%
Obese 28% 27%

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Some groups like indigenous Australian
have higher risks for obesity to non-
indigenous Australians. In addition,
those who live in major cities and are
from low economic statuses are likely to
be obese or overweight( Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017a).
Between 2011 and 2012, the cost of
overweight and obese in Australia was
more than 8.6 billion dollars of which
obese is responsible for 7% of Australia
total health burden.
Body Mass Index (BMI) and Calculation Formulae
Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms
by their height in square meters(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017). A BMI of below
18.5 is considered underweight, 18.5 to 24.99 normal weight, 25-29.99 overweight but not obese,
30.00-34.99 class 1 obese, 35.00-39.99 class 2 obese and above 40 class 3 obese(WHO, 2018). All
individual suspected to be overweight or obese should be taken BMI before any form of treated is
started.

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Tips on how Obesity can be reduced
 Community and population-based approaches to address obese and overweight can
be of more importance when it comes to strategies for reducing overweight and
obesity in Australia(Public Health Association of Australia, 2016). Such approaches
include the use of government regulations and laws, taxation and price interventions
on genetically modified foods, community-based intervention including both
workplaces and schools and general public education using social media, televisions,
social marketing campaign and public notices(Department of Health and Ageing,

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2013).
 Other than that, there are other individual strategies that can be used to either
prevent or incorporate treatment of obesity. These include regular physical
exercises, weight loss surgery and healthy eating.
Physical Activity and Lifestyle Tips
Through physical activities and exercises,
energy is spread throughout the bodily
functions. Physical activities have a very
positive health impact like reduced
chances of gaining weight, decrease body
fats and enhance metabolism(Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017a).
Such body activities include organized
recreations, sports, cycling, swimming,
housework, walking and gardening(U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services, 2017). Physical exercises can
lead to reduced BMI thus decreasing
chances of obesity. Supposed an all
Individuals in Australia lose about three
kilograms of their relative body weight,

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the effect of obesity in the country will
drop drastically
Diets Tips
 In Australia, about 10% of diseases are associated with dietary factors. Weight gain
and energy imbalance are normally caused by excess intake of drinks and foods
with high calories(Department of Health and Ageing, 2013).
 In addition, energy-dense can contribute to high energy intake more than required.
High calories foods include foods with a large amount of sugars and fats.
 It is recommended to eat diets that have a high level of fruits, vegetable, fish,
poultry, whole grains, and reduced fats.

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Supportive obesity organizations in Australia
The following are supportive obesity organizations in Australia
 Rethink Sugary Drink
 Obesity Policy Coalitions
 Live Lighter

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 Parents’ Voice
 Diabetes Australia
 Better Health Channel
 Eating Disorders Foundation
 Beyond Blue
 The Butterfly Foundation

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References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2017a). A picture of overweight and obesity in
Australia. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://doi.org/Cat. no.PHE 216
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2017b). Overweight and obesity (AIHW). Retrieved
from http://aihw.gov.au/overweight-and-obesity/
Department of Health and Ageing. (2013). Australian Dietary Guidelines. Archives of Pediatrics
& Adolescent Medicine (Vol. 133). https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130080108026
Hamann, A. (2017). Obesity Update 2017. Diabetologe, 13(5), 331–341.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11428-017-0241-7
Public Health Association of Australia. (2016). International report shows the need for a sugar
tax to prevent obesity. Retrieved from https://www.phaa.net.au/documents/item/1694
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017). Facts & Statistics Physical Activity.
Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/index.html
WHO. (2018). WHO | Obesity and overweight. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/