Obesity figures climb with no end in sight

October 24, 2013

In response to a new obesity report, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is calling on the federal government to take action to curb the long-term, devastating impact on our health system.

According to the ‘Overweight and Obesity Report’ issued today by the National Health Performance Authority, obesity is escalating with the percentage of adults who are overweight or obese increasing with geographic remoteness and lower socioeconomic status.

In 1989, only 11 per cent of adults were obese while 28 per cent of Australian adults were battling the condition in 2011-12, putting Australia at seventh among developed countries for rates of obesity for people aged 15 years and over.

Exercise & Sports Science Australia’s (ESSA) Executive Officer, Anita Hobson-Powell, believes the onslaught will not slow down unless the government changes its approach to obesity and treats it with the same fervour and urgency as it would any other epidemic.

“What we are seeing is the impact a generation struggling with obesity has had on the next generation of Australians and this vicious cycle will continue unless there is a significant change in how we tackle this issue,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.

“We’re now looking at a quarter of our adult population being obese and another 40 per cent being overweight, and yet Australians still have very limited access to support in order to change to their situation. Those battling obesity do so on their own, with inspiration limited to unrealistic shows like The Biggest Loser encouraging them to take serious health risks to make a change.”

“More help is required from the government, specifically reclassifying obesity a chronic illness in order for funding to be available.  This change will give people with obesity access to help from health and medical professionals and while we understand the investment will be substantial initially, the long-term savings by curbing obesity and the serious health issues it causes will be enormous.”

The NHPH report states that obesity imposed an estimated $2 billion in direct costs on Australia’s health system in 2008 and that people with obesity face health care costs that are 30 per cent higher than those with more healthy body weight.

In June this year, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a policy that recognises obesity as a disease requiring a range of medical interventions to advance obesity treatment and prevention.  By reclassifying obesity as a disease, the AMA said it aimed to change the way the medical community tackled obesity thereby reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, which are often linked to obesity.

“Without professional assistance Australians will continue to follow the latest fad diets and harrowing boot camps to miraculously drop the kilos overnight, which we know will not fix the problem,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.

“What we need is patients being referred to Accredited Exercise Physiologists who can develop appropriate and safe exercise routines suitable to an individual’s health history in partnership with their GP.  If we tackle this issue head-on, we can stop the escalation of unhealthy Australians, set a better example for future generations and save our health system billions of dollars in the future.”

For more information on ESSA or to find a local Accredited Exercise Physiologist, visit www.essa.org.au.

Ends.

MEDIA INFORMATION AND INTERVIEWS

For further media information, please contact Maya from Fresh PR & Marketing on 0410 109 102 or email maya@freshprm.com.au.

Official Media Spokesperson for this release:

Anita Hobson-Powell

Executive Officer

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
327 Sandgate Road Albion QLD 41010

E: Anita.Hobson-Powell@essa.org.au

P:  07 3862 4122    M:  0400 519 800

ABOUT ESSA

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia, and provides national leadership and advocacy on key issues.  ESSA supports its over 3,500 members and the community by fostering excellence in professional practice, education, training and research.

Website:  www.essa.org.au

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