Trends: Children

Obesity trends in Australian children

Last updated 24-11-2023

One in four Australian children were living with overweight or obesity in 2017–18. The percentage of Australian children aged 7 to 15 years with obesity tripled between 1985 and 1995.

Key Evidence

The prevalence of overweight among Australians aged 2 to 17 years was 16.7% , and the prevalence of obesity was 8.2% in 2017–18

20.2% of boys aged 16 to 17 years were living with overweight and a further 10.7% with obesity in 2017–18

35.7% of Australians aged 2 to 17 years in outer regional and remote Australia were living with overweight or obesity in 2017–18

Overweight increased from 10.2% (1985) to 20.6% (2014) among Australians aged 7 to 15 years

Weight status of Australian children aged 2–17 years

In 2017–18, one quarter (24.9%) of children aged 2 to 17 years were living with overweight or obesity – 16.7% with overweight and 8.2% with obesity. Rates of overweight and obesity varied by age group.¹

Weight status

Children aged 2–17 years.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4364.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18. 2018.

Underweight Normal weight Overweight Obesity

Overweight and obesity by age and gender

The highest rate of overweight and obesity among boys was in the 15–17 year old age group. Among girls, the highest rates were at 5–7 years of age.¹

Overweight and obesity by age and gender

Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4364.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18. 2018. Data table 16.1.

Note: In 2017-18, 43.9% of respondents aged 2-17 years did not have their height, weight or both measured. For these respondents, height and weight were imputed using a range of information including self-reported height and weight.

Overweight but not obesity Obesity

Overweight and obesity by location

In 2014–15, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among children and adolescents aged 2–17 years living in outer regional and remote areas, compared to those living in major cities.³

Overweight and obesity by location

Children aged 2–17

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. 2017.

% overweight or obese

Trends in overweight and obesity

The percentage of Australian children aged 7 to 15 years with overweight doubled between 1985 and 2014 from 10.2% to 20.6%. The percentage of Australian children aged 7 to 15 years with obesity tripled between 1985 and 1995 from 1.6% to 4.7%, before plateauing between 1996 and 2014. The percentage of children with severe obesity increased from less than 1% in 1985 and 1995, to 2% in 2007 after which it has remained stable.⁴

Trends in overweight and obesity

Xu J, Hardy LL, Guo CZ, and Garnett SP. The trends and prevalence of obesity and morbid obesity among Australian school-aged children, 1985–2014. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2018; 54(8):907-912.

Overweight Obesity Morbid obesity

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.

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18. Canberra, Australia 2018. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/.

2. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4364.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: First Results, 2017-18. 2018. Data table 16.1. http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/

3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. A picture of overweight and obesity in Australia. 2017. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/

4. Xu J, Hardy LL, Guo CZ, and Garnett SP. The trends and prevalence of obesity and morbid obesity among Australian school-aged children, 1985–2014. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2018; 54(8):907-912.