Childhood Obesity In Australia

Obesity is defined as a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduce life expectancy and/or increased health problems. “The problem of obesity is increasing in the United States. Understanding the impact of social inequalities on health has become a public health priority in the new millennium. Social, political, and economic factors now are acknowledged to be "fundamental" causes of disease that affect behavior, beliefs, and biology.” (Goodman, 2003)  In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last 3 decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. Obesity has not always been seen as a medical

Childhood obesity is becoming more prevalent in the western world as statistics show that in Australia, one quarter of children are either overweight or obese. (Australian Bureau of statistics)

“During the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has risen greatly worldwide. Obesity in childhood causes a wide range of serious complications, and increases the risk of premature illness and death later in life, raising public-health concerns.” (Ebbeling, Pawlak & Ludwig, 2002 p.471) Currently in the Australian community and schools there is an obesity epidemic in young people with many children doing less and less physical activity then advised. “In 2007-08 the National health survey, run by the Australian Government indicated that 24.9% of children aged 5-17 years old were either overweight or obese” (Healthy Active, 2009). These figures show that children are not being properly educated about healthy

Obesity, according to the World Health Organisation, is defined as ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health’ (World Health Organisation, 2014). The Conversation article presented by Sacks and Cameron states that close to two-thirds of Australians are overweight and that unhealthy diets contribute to more disease and illness in Australia than smoking (Sacks and Cameron 2014). It then points out that obesity the tripling of obesity in Australia is not merely due to a lack of personal responsibility but with all the changes occurring in the food environment and the increasing supply of cheap, energy-filled

Childhood obesity has taken center stage in the Australian public health debate. This is not surprising given the 500% increase in the rate of childhood overweight and obesity from just 5% in the 1960s to 25% today.(1) While many developed countries face similar obesity levels, (2, 3) this essay explores the childhood obesity epidemic in an Australian context. It argues that a portfolio of primary prevention programs will be needed to curb the incidence of obesity. The essay has three parts. The first looks at the impact of childhood obesity at an individual and societal level. The second identifies the risk factors for overweight and obesity in childhood. The third offers up some primary prevention programs and outlines the

Alternatively, if we can commit to an obesity prevention plan starting with defining obesity as a disease and gaining additional federal support for prevention and intervention, then it may not only save billions of Australian tax dollars, but also improve the health and well being of Australians now and for future generations. There is therefore no time to

This book comprehensively addresses the subject of obesity. Apart from highlighting the main causes of the epidemic, the book also presents suggestions on what can be done to stem the rising rates of obesity.

Obesity is a widely known and recorded problem in Australia (Heading, 2008). It affects over 60% of the adult population (National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC], 2013). This is a frightening statistic and sadly it isn’t restricted to adults. Nearly 25% of Australia’s children and adolescent population is also affected by obesity (Moir, 2013; NHMRC, 2014; Obesity Australia, 2013).

Obesity has become the silent killer in American society. It is a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases including the four leading causes of death. Obesity can be linked to stroke, heart disease, cancer and diabetes, all serious health problems that can be fatal. Obesity is linked to 300,000 deaths annually in the industrial world (Flamholz, 2001). Often in society and in the medical community there exists a lack of understanding that obesity is in fact a disease and needs attention, otherwise the rates of many diseases will continue to climb.

Overweight and obesity is the most significant health issue facing Australians in 2017. Not only have the rates been on the rise in Australia over the past years, but as a consequence, so has the cost to the country. Obesity and overweight are major risk factors impacting on many other health issues such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, some cancers, to name a few. The link with other serious health disorders contributes greatly to the significance of overweight and obesity as a major health challenge in Australia today. Overweight and Obesity as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is an ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health’.

Obesity has caused great dilemma in America. It was known as an adult disease. “Over two thirds of adults are over weight or obese.”(Obesity, Jerry R Ballenttne) these numbers are increasing rapidly. Obesity is not just a appearance

Obesity is a major disease which has become a global problem, there are more than 250 million people have body mass index more 30. Obesity is being major concern of the people as it leads to stroke and heart attack. This figure is being spread worldwide thus this has become of the major concerned for world health. The prevalence of the concerned disease is high in number around the world. This disease has become concern of both developing and developed countries which has raised the challenge for the health authorises.

Did you know that worldwide obesity has nearly doubled since 1980? In 2008 , thirty- five percent of adult that are aged twenty and older and are overweight , eleven percent of them are obese.Since the early 1960s, the prevalence of obesity among adults more than doubled, increasing from 13.4 to 35.7 percent in U.S. adults age 20 and older. The weight may come from muscle, fat , bones or body water . Cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders are all caused obesity.. Diseases like cancer ,diabetes , high blood pressure , stroke and osteoarthritis are condition caused by obesity . Obesity is having a negative effect on effect on the emotional, physical and mental stability of people in the United States.

Today, one of the most common public health problems is obesity that have disturbed all

Seeing a child who is overweight may not seem like a big concern to some, but the future consequences can be deadly. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine state that, “children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.” Children who are obese are more likely to grow up to be obese as adults resulting in long-term health effects (3). It seems the rise of obesity is going to be a great concern for healthcare professionals in the future. These statistics provide the obvious clue to the pattern of an uphill run of childhood obesity without a break in sight. This condition is a solemn concern, yet thankfully it can be simply understood and managed.