Obesity trends in Australian adults
Two-thirds of Australian adults now live with overweight (35.6%) or obesity (31.3%). The prevalence of overweight is higher for men compared to women, while the prevalence of obesity is similar for men and women. The prevalence of obesity is rising among Australian adults.
Key Evidence
66.9% of Australian adults are living with overweight or obesity
The prevalence of obesity among Australian men aged 65 to 74 years is 42.2%
In outer regional and remote Australia, the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) is 72.2%
Severe obesity has risen from 4.9% to 9.4% among Australian adults over the past 20 years
Australian adults by weight status
In 2017−18, 66.9% of Australians aged 18 years and over were living with overweight or obesity, comprised of 35.6% overweight and 31.3% obesity. A further 31.7% were of normal weight and 1.3% were underweight.1
Australian adults by weight status
Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4364.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18. 2018.
Overweight and obesity by gender
About three quarters (74.5%) of Australian men were living with overweight or obesity in 2017−18, compared with 59.8% of women. More men (42.0%) than women (29.6%) were in the overweight category. Similar proportions of men (32.5%) and women (30.2%) were living with obesity.1
Weight status: men
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4364.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18. 2018. Supplementary data table 8.3
Note: In 2017-18, 33.8% of respondents aged 18 years and over did not have their height and or weight measured. For these people, height and weight were imputed using a range of information including their self-reported height and weight.
Weight status: women
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4364.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18. 2018. Supplementary data table 8.3
Note: In 2017-18, 33.8% of respondents aged 18 years and over did not have their height and or weight measured. For these people, height and weight were imputed using a range of information including their self-reported height and weight.
Overweight and obesity prevalence by age and gender
The prevalence of overweight and obesity rose steadily by age group in 2017−18, peaking for men at age 55 to 64 years (83.6%) and for women at 65 to 74 years (73.3%). More than half of 18 to 24 year-old men were living with overweight or obesity.1
Overweight and obesity is highest outside major cities
The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher for Australian adults living outside major cities in 2017−18. In major cities, 65.0% of Australians were living with overweight or obesity in 2017−18, compared to 72.4% in inner regional Australia and 72.2% in outer regional and remote Australia.1 The National Health Survey does not collect data from people living in areas classified as very remote.2
Overweight and obesity on the rise
After adjusting for age, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian adults rose from 57.2% in 1995 to 66.4% in 2017−18. The trend was mainly driven by a rise in the prevalence of obesity among adults, from 19.1% to 30.8%. The prevalence of adults with overweight (but not obesity) decreased slightly, from 38.1% in 1995 to 35.6% in 2017−18.13
Trends in overweight and obesity, Australian adults
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. 2017, Supplementary table 8 AND Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4364.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18. 2018, Table 1.3
Note: Prevalence estimates are age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population
Severity of obesity by age
Severe obesity encompasses the World Health Organization’s definitions of class II and class III obesity (body mass index above 35 or above 40, respectively). In 2017−18, the prevalence of severe obesity (body mass index greater than 35) was highest among adults aged 65−74 years (15.3% of the population), and lowest among those aged 18−24 years (5.9%).1
Trends in severe obesity
The prevalence of severe obesity has risen over the past 20 years, with the age-standardised prevalence among Australian adults almost doubling between 1995 and 2014−15, from 4.9% to 9.4%.3
Trends in severe obesity, Australian adults
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. 2017. p19.
Note: Prevalence estimates are age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population
Content for this page was written by Melanie Nichols, Deakin University and reviewed by Kathryn Backholer and Gary Sacks, Co-Directors at the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition at Deakin University. For more information about the approach to content on the site please see About | Obesity Evidence Hub.