MNCLHD

MNCLHD

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Impact of overweight and obesity

It has been estimated by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that nearly 2 in 3 adults and 1 in 4 children in Australia are considered overweight or obese.  The AIHW's current report, Impact of overweight and obesity as a risk factor for chronic conditions updates and extends the findings reported in the Australian Burden of Disease Study 2011 to include burden in people aged under 25, revised diseases linked to overweight or obesity and estimates by socioeconomic group.  

22 diseases resulting from overweight and obesity are included in this analysis. These include 11 types of cancer, 3 cardiovascular conditions, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, dementia, gallbladder disease, gout, back pain and problems, osteoarthritis and asthma.  The authors conclude that 7% of the total health burden in Australia in 2011 was due to overweight and obesity, with 63% of this burden being fatal. They estimate that 6% of future disease burden in 2020 due to overweight and obesity could be avoided if current increases in overweight and obesity in the population were halted.

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