Obesity is identified as a National Heath Priority area by the Australian Government. It is a serious health issue as it can lead to many more severe problems and concerns such as diabetes, coronary heart disease or even cancer.
In fact, in 2011 to 2012, it was researched that 10.8 million Australians were either overweight or obese and 4.7 million of that population were obese. This is a really overwhelming number as the population of Australia is 22.7 million. The ratio of the people with obesity to the whole population is nearly a quarter.
In 1989, 47% of adults were overweight and in 2011-2012, it rose to 64%. Health issues related to having excess body weight, can impact the health care system, your family and the community. …show more content…
Social justice principles are the equal rights of all residents in the community.
It targets the disadvantaged groups. The social justice principles are able to contribute in addressing health inequities in the rural and isolated areas.
Beginning with a historical survey of urban obesity in communities of colour, anti-obesity policies and programs, and the role of social work in addressing this threat, the volume follows with an analysis of the social, ecological, environmental, and spatial aggravators of urban obesity, such as the food industry’s advertising strategies, which promote unhealthy choices; the failure of local markets to provide good food options, the lack of safe exercise spaces, and the scarcity of health education. Obesity is ranked third for Health Issues in Australia, behind high blood pressure and smoking. It was found that the population of those who are obese is higher in the outer urban areas than the major cities.
The prevalence of obesity in Australia has doubled over 20 years and it is estimated that if weight gain continues at current levels, by 2025, 80% of Australian adults and a third of children would be
obese.
The percentage of overweight and obese children in Australia has remained mostly steady for the past 10 years, with 23 to 24% of Australians under the age of 18 classified as overweight.
Increased media attention on childhood obesity in 2007 and 2008 caused many researchers to confirm that the rate of obesity for children has reached a peak or that the claims are simply "exaggerated.”
The suggestion of public health interventions in child care services has been recommended in Australia as a strategy to prevent children from becoming overweight or obese, especially in rural areas of Australia.
Financial constraints often experienced by smaller rural and remote child care services may limit their promotion and encourage physical activity and health care to children participating in the child care services provided to them. Additionally, the influence of parents and the community needs to be considered.
Two types of costs are associated with the treatment of obesity and obesity-related conditions:
Direct costs are those that result from outpatient and inpatient health services (including surgery), laboratory and radiological tests, and drug therapy.
Indirect costs, which have been defined as “resources forgone as a result of a health condition,” (2) fall into various categories:
Direct and indirect costs are two types of costs that are associated with the treatment of obesity and other related medical conditions. Direct costs are those that result from the patients’ health services such as medication, tests and even surgery. Indirect costs are changes or can be seen as ‘opportunities and choices lost’ such as the inability to wok and therefore the loss of a job, lower wages or lower insurance.
Obesity also contributes to non-communicable diseases, shortened life-expectancy and impaired quality of life. Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, musculoskeletal disorders and impaired psychosocial functioning. Obesity is now challenging smoking as the major cause of preventable death in Australia. An estimated 9,500 deaths occur annually in Australia as a result of diseases and conditions related to excess body weight. The costs to Australian health-care were estimated to be $1.2 billion in 2005.