The Importance Of Obesity In Australia

Obesity is the scourge of modern Australia. Obesity is defined by excessive or abnormal fat accumulation which presents health risks (Australian Institute Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2016, p. 149). There are many health consequences presented by the disease, both physical and mental with the power to destroy the lives of numerous Australians. Obesity is an intricate disease with serious social and psychosocial elements affecting all ages and population groups within Australia, in particular our children (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2003, p. 1). It is a multifactorial issue that places a large economic burden on Australians that needs to be addressed. The alarming prevalence and incidence of this disease must be actively approached through
In 2011-12 there were 4 million obese adults in Australia, in 2014 -15 that number had increased to 4.9 million adults (AIHW, 2016, p. 149). The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW 2016) reported that in 2014-15 28% of all Australian adults were obese (p. 149) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW 2015) found that in 2011-12 only 36% of adults had a healthy weight (p. 19). The increasing incidence and prevalence of obesity presents many adverse health consequences and increases the risk for many chronic, non communicable diseases such as osteoarthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, many cancers (including breast and colorectal), type 2 diabetes, depression and mental health disorders (AIHW, 2016, p.149). WHO (2013) determined the health implications associated with obesity include escalated risk of premature death from these serious chronic conditions that hinder overall quality of life (p.1). Stanton (2009) found the vast array of health problems add dramatically to national health budget strain (p.
(2017) found they are only moderately effective. Stanton (2009) established that the responsibility for preventing obesity lies with many parties (p. 281) and Bolton et al. (2015) found health strategies need to be implement by all levels of government and key stakeholders such as medical staff to help combat obesity (p. 204). Governments need to stand up to their vested interests and deal with this multifactorial problem (Stanton, 2009, p. 280) for the health and wellbeing of our nation. There is a need for clinicians to understand and implement evidence based discussions on modifiable risk and protective factors for obesity as early as possible (Hassink, 2017). Stanton (2009) determined that obesity is a credit to the commercial success of marketing cheap, energy dense foods and passive entertainment that decreases physical activity (p. 280). Our modern, convenience lifestyles encourage junk food, sedentary behaviours and the easy options to thrive. Hence modifications are needed in our lives to decrease the costs of fruits, vegetables and healthy foods and to encourage physical activities in normal everyday