EAT FOR HEALTH Australian Dietary Guidelines

EAT FOR HEALTH – AusTRALiAn diETARy guidELinEs

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Guideline 1

1.1 Setting the scene

A healthy weight is a body weight associated with normal growth and development in children, and a reduced

risk of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality among people of all ages.98-102 While it is unhealthy to be

underweight, overweight or obese,88,98 ideal weight varies from one person to another and at different stages

of life. Persistent excess energy intake, whether small or large, can cause unwanted weight gain in people of

any age.

There is widespread recognition that overweight and obesity constitute a global problem requiring urgent

attention.89,98,103,104 Overweight and obesity contributed 7.5% of the burden of premature death and disability

in Australia in 2003.^10 More recent data from Western Australia and Queensland indicate that overweight and

obesity have now overtaken cigarette smoking as the single greatest contributing risk factor, being responsible

for 8.3–8.6% of the total burden of disease and injury.105,106

As is the case internationally,^107 overweight, obesity and associated health problems place a significant economic

burden on the Australian health care system. The total direct, indirect and social cost has been estimated at

$37.7–$56.6 billion5,108 with direct costs estimated at $8–$21 billion.5,109 It is predicted that by 2023, the projected

health expenditure for type 2 diabetes will have risen $1.4 billion to $7 billion per year, due mostly to increasing

weight gain.^10

1.1.1 Weight status and trends in Australia

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased significantly in Australia and most developed countries

since the 1970s.98,104,110

Adults

Measured height and weight data in 2007–08 showed that 2% of Australian adults were underweight, 37% were

of healthy weight, 37% were overweight and 25% were obese.^11 Overweight and obesity were more common in

men than women (68% versus 55%) and in people aged 65–74 years (75%) than in other age groups.

Children and adolescents

A number of national and state-based surveys of children and adolescents using measured height and weight

data have found that 21–25% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese (with 5–8% classified as

obese) and 2–5% are underweight.11,12,111-113 The prevalence of obesity is higher for boys than girls (9% compared

with 6%),^11 although the prevalence of combined overweight and obesity is similar (26% for boys and 24% for

girls).^11 The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children has increased significantly over the past two

decades. Although the rate of increase appears to be slowing,111 , 112 the high prevalence remains of concern.^113

Childhood obesity has been identified as one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.^114

In the united States (uS) it has been predicted that, due to premature mortality associated with obesity

developing at a younger age, the current generation of children will be the first in that country’s history to have

a life expectancy lower than that of their parents.^115 Obesity is an important determinant of a range of health

disorders – unless the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity is arrested, the burden of chronic

disease in future generations will be pandemic5,110 and cause a crisis in health and economic systems across

the world.88,98,101

Predicted trends

If current trends continue in Australia, it is estimated that by 2025, 83% of men and 75% of women aged

20 years or more will be overweight or obese.^116

The predicted increases would significantly affect disease burden and health care costs, mostly due to an

increased incidence of type 2 diabetes. Without intervention, type 2 diabetes will account for around 9% of

the total disease burden in Australia in 2023, up from around 5% in 2003.^10