Australia, often perceived as a nation of sporty, outdoorsy people, is grappling with a worsening obesity crisis. Experts warn that unprecedented affluence, a culture of convenience, growing portion sizes, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles have left one in two Australians overweight. The country now ranks fourth among OECD nations for obesity, with 28.3% of adults classified as obese, trailing only the US, Mexico, and New Zealand.
While obesity rates in other developed countries like the US have begun to level off, Australia's continue to rise. A 2008 study by the Victorian Department of Human Services predicted that without effective intervention, 83% of men and 75% of women would be overweight or obese by 2025. Professor Mike Daube of the Public Health Advocacy Institute criticised the government's inaction, stating, 'We have an affluent, car-oriented, screen-dominated society where we eat as much as we like... and the government hasn't even started to take action.'
The federal government has committed A$932 million to health education programmes and media campaigns, while state-level initiatives are also underway. In New South Wales, where obesity cost the state A$19 billion in 2008, the government has invested A$186 million in health initiatives, including the 'Get Healthy' telephone coaching service. This free service connects residents with nutritionists and trainers to create personalised healthy eating and exercise plans.
Wendy Brownell, a mother of three from Sydney, became one of the faces of a national advertising campaign after using the service. 'I was depressed, I didn't want to go out. I was embarrassed about what I looked like,' she said. 'I could ring them and there was no one judging me.'
Despite some progress among children, with obesity levels levelling off in recent years, adult rates have jumped by 1.5% nationwide in the past four years. Poor and remote communities are disproportionately affected. Dr Lena Rodriguez of the University of Newcastle warned of a growing societal divide: 'In essence we are creating two strands of society... Post World War II everyone was getting healthier. Now we are seeing a divergence.' She called for expanded education efforts tailored to different communities' specific needs.
