Australian Adult Obesity and Overweight

Summaryiii

Glossary of Termsiv

Introduction1

Discussion1

Determinants of Health2

Income and Social Status2

Education and Literacy2

Gender3

Social Environment and Social Inclusion3

Employment Working Conditions3

Health Services and Personal Health Practices and Coping Skills4

Biology and Genetic Endowment5

Healthy Child Development5

Physical Environment6

Culure7

Eating Habits8

Conclusion8

References9

Appendix11

Local government area 1 (Rural) Knox City11

Female are more than as compare to male in the areaLocal Government Area 2 (Rural) Golden Plains14

Local Government Area 2 (Rural) Golden Plains15

Summary

This report is based on the issue of obesity in Australian adults. In order to perform an in depth analysis and understanding of the fact, two different rural areas i.e. Knox City and Golden Plains have been analysed on the basis of their geographic location, population , economic status, rates of mortality, morbidity etc.

Glossary of Terms

ABS-Australian Bureau of Statistics

AIHW- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

BMI- Body Mass Index

OECD- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

WHO-World Health Organisation

Introduction

The raise in the level of overweight and obesity among the adults in Australia has become one of the significant issues for public health. Obesity is considerably known as one of the risk factor for several issues related to health that includes diabetes, cardiac problems, high blood pressure, musculoskeletal diseases (Arthritis), respiratory problems (Asthma), and few forms of cancer(Shrewsbury & Wardle, 2008). From the level of an individual point of view, there are several elements that can be the reason of obesity that contains excessive calorie intake, genetic predisposition lack of exercise and endocrine disorders. It is because of the fact that obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases; it is associated with substantial additional costs for health care. Because of the difference among the incidence of problems related to health and onset of obesity there was a projection of high prevalence of obesity in Australia in last few years and in the coming years as well, which will also results in increased healthcare cost as well(Obesity in Australia, n.d.). The mortality increases dramatically when the threshold for obesity is even exceeded as surveye by AIHW. However, this paper focuses on the issue of prevalence of obesity and overweight in adults in Australia.

Discussion

Obesity (morbid obesity, obesity) and overweight are mostly referred to as an excessive body weight through increased accumulation of fatty tissue in the body, mainly as a BMI of 25-30. The life expectancy of obese people is reduced, especially when it exists with diabetes or with an unfavorable distribution of fat (apple shape in male and pear shape in female) and unfavorable lifestyle (lack of exercise). A BMI of 30 to 35 shortens life by two to four years, a BMI from 40 to 45 to eight to ten years refers to overweight in which BMI is between 26 and 29.

According to recent studies health risks exist only in the presence of other risk factors otherwise, life expectancy is slightly prolonged (Wang & Patterson, 2002).

Determinants of Health

Income and Social Status

In most countries, the rise in obesity affected regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, income or education level all population groups, but in varying ...