Levels of obesity

IBISWorld forecasts the level of obesity in Australia to rise by 0.5 percentage points, to reach 70.1% in 2024-25. The growing health consciousness will likely motivate Australians to consume more fruits and vegetables, which is expected to place downward pressure on the level of obesity. However, the cost-of-living crisis and busy lifestyle are encouraging consumers to opt for convenient and inexpensive fast food and takeaway food services, supporting unhealthier eating. An increase in per capita fat consumption is also expected to elevate the level of obesity in 2024-25.

Obesity leads to many diseases, including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases and is considered a significant risk factor contributing to illness and death. Such concerns are driving government policies and programs to combat obesity levels. For example, the Federal Government released the National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032 in March 2022, which outlines actions to prevent and reduce obesity in Australia by 2032. Over the past few years, health consciousness among Australians has expanded. The growing focus on fitness and the rising popularity of personal training have slowed growth in the levels of obesity. The social problems caused by obesity have led to several initiatives and changes acting to constrain rising obesity levels. Medical advances have resulted in less invasive surgical and medical methods to combat obesity, creating more viable tools for those fighting the complications which typically lead to obesity.

The level of obesity in Australia has climbed over the past five years. Australia's ageing population has directly contributed to the increase. The likelihood that an individual is obese typically increases with age, as older individuals are more likely to live a sedentary lifestyle compared with their younger and more active counterparts. Furthermore, weight gained as an early adult usually accumulates and contributes to obesity later on in life. Obesity levels have also been driven by changes in the diets of individuals. The increasingly time-poor lifestyle of consumers and the rising demand for fast foods, takeaway foods and ready-to-eat meals, which are typically low in nutritional value, has contributed to the obesity rate rising over the period. IBISWorld forecasts the level of obesity in Australia to rise by an average annual rate of 2.0 percentage points over the five years through 2024-25.