On October 24, 2013, the National Health Performance Authority (NHPA) published a new study. “Health Communities: overweight and obesity rates across Australia, 2011-12” This is a study that for the first time takes into account the Medicare catchment areas throughout Australia.
Obesity and overweight rates throughout the regions vary between 49% and 79%
The regions were also categorized into seven groups based on geographic remoteness and socioeconomic status.
The report shows that country or regional areas had 4 in 10 adults who were considered obese. In the inner city areas, this rate dropped to 2 in 10.
A shocking 10.8 million adults have been recorded as obese or overweight in 2011-12 with a total of 4.7 million being obese. This represents a 17% increase from 1989.
A 2008 study showed the cost of obesity totaled 2 billion dollars.
The official figure across the nation for people who are overweight or obese is now 63%