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Trends: Socio Economic Group

Obesity trends across socioeconomic groups

Last updated 06-08-2026

Australian children and adults living in the lowest socioeconomic areas have a higher prevalence overweight and obesity than those living in the highest socioeconomic areas. Vegetable consumption is below the levels recommended in Australian guidelines across all socioeconomic groups. People living in lower socioeconomic areas have a greater prevalence of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages.

Key Evidence

01

In 2022–24 more than a third of children aged 2–17 in the lowest socioeconomic areas were living with overweight or obesity (35.6%), compared to less than one quarter in the highest socioeconomic areas (22.1%)

02

More than two-thirds (69.5%) of adults living in the lowest socioeconomic areas were living with overweight or obesity in 2022–24, compared to 61.5% of people living in the highest socioeconomic areas

03

In 2023, 30.7% of children aged 2–17 living in the most disadvantaged areas consumed sugar-sweetened beverages – the highest level of consumption for any socioeconomic group

04

In 2022–23, seven in 10 adults in the highest socioeconomic areas (70.6%) did not participate in sufficient physical activity according to Australian guidelines at the time, compared to 78.7% in the lowest socioeconomic areas

Overweight and obesity among children

In 2022–24, 35.4% of males aged 2–17 in the lowest socioeconomic areas were living with overweight or obesity, compared with 21.6% of those living in the highest socioeconomic areas. Similarly, 35.9% of females in the lowest socioeconomic areas were living with overweight or obesity, compared with 22.8% of those in the highest socioeconomic areas.1

Overweight and obesity among children aged 2–17, 2022–24

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and obesity 2026. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity

Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2021 (SEIFA 2021), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage. In 2022, 56.8% of children aged 2–17 years old did not have measured height or weight. In the 2023 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 44.9% of children aged 2–17 did not have measured height or weight. For these respondents, imputation was used to obtain height, weight and BMI data. For more information, see the 2022 National Health Survey methodology for Physical measures.

Boys Girls All children

Overweight and obesity among adults

In 2022–24, adults living in the lowest socioeconomic areas had a higher prevalence of living with overweight or obesity combined (69.5%), than those living in highest socioeconomic areas (61.5%). Adults living in the lowest socioeconomic areas had a lower prevalence of overweight (30.1%) than those in higher socioeconomic areas (36%), but had a higher prevalence of living with obesity (39.4% compared to 25.5%).1

Males and females living in the lowest socioeconomic areas had a similar prevalence of overweight or obesity as males living in the highest socioeconomic areas (around 7 in 10). Women living in the least disadvantaged areas had the lowest prevalence of overweight or obesity (52.6%).1

Overweight and obesity among males aged 18 and over, 2022–24

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and obesity 2026. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity

Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2021 (SEIFA 2021), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage. - Overweight and obesity classifications are derived from measured height and weight. Measured data from the 2022 National Health Survey (NHS) and 2023 National Nutrition Physical Activity Survey were pooled together in the 2022–24 National Health Measures Survey (NHMS). In the 2022 NHS, the non-response rate for measured height and weight was 40.8% for adults. In the 2023 NNPAS, the non-response rate was 35.5% for adults. The progress of imputation (done separately on the 2022 NHS and the 2023 NNPAS) was used to estimate missing data.

Overweight but not obese Obese Overweight or obese

Overweight and obesity among females aged 18 and over, 2022–24

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and obesity 2026. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity

Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2021 (SEIFA 2021), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage. Overweight and obesity classifications are derived from measured height and weight. Measured data from the 2022 National Health Survey (NHS) and 2023 National Nutrition Physical Activity Survey were pooled together in the 2022–24 National Health Measures Survey (NHMS). In the 2022 NHS, the non-response rate for measured height and weight was 40.8% for adults. In the 2023 NNPAS, the non-response rate was 35.5% for adults. The progress of imputation (done separately on the 2022 NHS and the 2023 NNPAS) was used to estimate missing data.

Overweight but not obese Obese Overweight or obese

Overweight and obesity among persons aged 18 and over, 2022–24

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and obesity 2026. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity

Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2021 (SEIFA 2021), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage. Overweight and obesity classifications are derived from measured height and weight. Measured data from the 2022 National Health Survey (NHS) and 2023 National Nutrition Physical Activity Survey were pooled together in the 2022–24 National Health Measures Survey (NHMS). In the 2022 NHS, the non-response rate for measured height and weight was 40.8% for adults. In the 2023 NNPAS, the non-response rate was 35.5% for adults. The progress of imputation (done separately on the 2022 NHS and the 2023 NNPAS) was used to estimate missing data.

Overweight but not obese Obese Overweight or obese

Intake of core foods

Core foods are foods that provide essential nutrients for good health. The Australian Dietary Guidelines2 identify five food groups – vegetables and legumes/beans, fruit, grains, lean meats and other lean sources of protein, and dairy products.

In 2022, more than nine in 10 Australian adults did not meet the recommended amount of daily serves of vegetables in Australian guidelines. Levels of consumption were similar across socioeconomic groups.3

Around half (51.9%) of adults living in the highest socioeconomic areas did not consume the recommended serves of fruit, compared to 60.7% of people living in the lowest socioeconomic areas.3

Socio-economic group and diet, 2022

Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/2022

Note: The NHMRC 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend a minimum number of serves of fruit and vegetables each day, depending on a person's age and sex, to ensure good nutrition and health.

Inadequate fruit consumption Inadequate vegetable consumption

Apparent consumption data from 2023–24, which tracks the total amount of foods purchased from food retailers and averaged across the whole Australian population, has reported that consumption of fruit and vegetables was up to one-third (33%) higher in more advantaged areas compared with the most disadvantaged areas.4

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are non-alcoholic drinks including soft drinks, fruit drinks, cordials and energy drinks that are sweetened with sugar, rather than artificial sweeteners.

In 2023, 23.8% of adults aged 18 and over living in the most disadvantaged areas consumed SSBs, compared to 17.5% of people in the least disadvantaged areas. Among children aged 2–17, the difference was more marked – those living in the most disadvantaged areas were almost twice as likely to consume SSBs compared with those living in the least disadvantaged areas (30.7% compared to 16.4%).5

Children aged 2-17 who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages, 2023

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Food and nutrients. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/food-and-nutrition/sweetened-beverages/2023

Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2021 (SEIFA 2021), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage.

Quintile 1 2 3 4 5

Adults aged 18 and over who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages, 2023

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Food and nutrients. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/food-and-nutrition/sweetened-beverages/2023

Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2021 (SEIFA 2021), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage.

Quintile 1 2 3 4 5

Total population aged 2 and over who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages, 2023

Australian Bureau of Statistics. Food and nutrients. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/food-and-nutrition/sweetened-beverages/2023

Socioeconomic areas are quintiles of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2021 (SEIFA 2021), specifically the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Lower socioeconomic areas have greater overall levels of disadvantage.

Quintile 1 2 3 4 5

Apparent consumption data from 2023–24 reported that purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages by people living in the most disadvantaged 20% of Australia were 26% higher than the national average. In the least disadvantaged areas, people purchased 29% less SSBs than the national average.4

This is likely to be an underestimate of the true level of consumption of SSBs, as food and drink purchased from fast food outlets, cafes or restaurants are not included.6

Physical activity

In 2022, 70.6% of people aged 18 and over living in the highest socioeconomic areas in Australia did not meet the Australian guidelines for physical activity current at the time, and 7.8% reported doing no physical activity. Among those living in the lowest socioeconomic areas, 78.7% did not meet the guidelines, and 17.2% did no physical activity.3

Physical activity

Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/2022

Note: Physical activity refers to a combination of exercise and workplace activity. Exercise includes walking for transport, walking for fitness, sport or recreation, moderate exercise and/or vigorous exercise undertaken in the last week. Workplace activity is physical activity undertaken in the workplace which includes moderate and/or vigorous activity undertaken on a typical work day. 2014 Physical activity guidelines are based on Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines and assessed against the respective age group.

Did not meet 2014 physical activity guidelines Zero minutes of physical activity

Initial 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. Data updates were made in 2026 by Obesity Evidence Hub staff. For more information about the approach to content on the site please see About | Obesity Evidence Hub.

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and obesity: AIHW, Australian Government; 2026. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity.
2. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Dietary Guidelines. Canberra, Australia 2013. Available from: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-dietary-guidelines
3. Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey Canberra: ABS; 2023. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/2022
4. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Sugary drink consumption 26% higher in our most disadvantaged areas. Canberra: ABS; 2026 [Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/sugary-drink-consumption-26-higher-our-most-disadvantaged-areas].
5. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Food and nutrients. Canberra: ABS; 2023. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/food-and-nutrition/food-and-nutrients/2023.
6. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Apparent Consumption of Selected Foodstuffs, Australia methodology. Canberra: ABS; 2023-24. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/methodologies/apparent-consumption-selected-foodstuffs-australia-methodology/2023-24