Mobile Menu

Business Environment Profiles - Australia

Levels of obesity

Published: 23 September 2024

Key Metrics

Levels of obesity

Total (2025)

70 Percentage

Annualized Growth 2020-25

1.3 %

Definition of Levels of obesity

This report analyses the level of obesity in Australia's adult population. For the purpose of this report, obesity includes people that are overweight and obese as classified by the Body Mass Index. The data for this report is sourced from the National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The level of obesity is expressed as a percentage of the population aged 18 and over that is considered overweight or obese each financial year.

Analyze the wider world in which businesses operate

We measure the upstream and downstream ramifications on thousands of industries so businesses can monitor their external operating environment. Explore membership options today.

Purchase options

Included in an IBISWorld Membership

Our industry reports include 35+ pages of data, analysis and charts, including:

  • Industry Financial Ratios
    Industry Financial Ratios
  • Historical and Forecast Growth
    Historical and Forecast Growth
  • Industry Market Size
    Industry Market Size
  • Industry Major Players
    Industry Major Players
  • Profitability Analysis
    Profitability Analysis
  • SWOT Analysis
    SWOT Analysis
  • Industry Trends
    Industry Trends
  • Industry Operating Conditions
    Industry Operating Conditions

IBISWorld Premium Data

You need a Membership for access
to this data.

  • Access to your choice of 632
    industry reports
  • Access to full library of 185
    Business Environment Profiles

Get Started with an IBISWorld Membership today!

PURCHASE OPTIONS CONTACT US NOW
IBISWorld
Premium Data

You need a Membership for
access to this data.

Get Started with an IBISWorld Membership today!
PURCHASE OPTIONS

Recent Trends – Levels of obesity

IBISWorld forecasts the level of obesity in Australia to rise by 0.5 percentage points, to reach 70.1% in 2024-25. The growing health consciousness will likely motivate Australians to consume more fruits and vegetables, which is expected to place downward pressure on the level of obesity. However, the cost-of-living crisis and busy lifestyle are encouraging consumers to opt for convenient and inexpensive fast food and takeaway food services, supporting unhealthier eating. An increase in per capita fat consumption is also expected to elevate the level of obesity in 2024-25.

Obesity leads to many diseases, including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases and is considered a significant risk factor contributing to illness and death. Such concerns are driving government policies and programs to combat obesity levels. For example, the Federal Government released the National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032 in March 2022, which outlines actions to prevent and reduce obesity in Australia by 2032. Over the past few years, health consciousness among Australians has expanded. The growing focus on fitness and the rising popularity of personal training have slowed growth in the levels of obesity. The social problems caused by obesity have led to several initiatives and changes acting to constrain rising obesity levels. Medical advances have resulted in less invasive surgical and medical methods to combat obesity, creating more viable tools for those fighting the complications which typically lead to obesity.

The level of obesity in Australia has climbed over the past five years. Australia's ageing population has directly contributed to the increase. The likelihood that an individual is obese typically increases with age, as older individuals are more likely to live a sedentary lifestyle compared with their younger and more active counterparts. Furthermore, weight gained as an early adult usually accumulates and contributes to obesity later on in life. Obesity levels have also been driven by changes in the diets of individuals. The increasingly time-poor lifestyle of consumers and the rising demand for fast foods, takeaway foods and ready-to-eat meals, which are typically low in nutritional value, has contributed to the obesity rate rising over the period. IBISWorld forecasts the level of obesity in Australia to rise by an average annual rate of 2.0 percentage points over the five years through 2024-25.

Show more

5-Year Outlook – Levels of obesity

IBISWorld forecasts the level of obesity in Australia to reach 70.6% in 2025-26, a 0.5 percentage...

Looking for IBISWorld Industry Reports?

Gain strategic insight and analysis on thousands of industries.

Trusted by More Than 10,000 Clients Around the World

  • IBISWorld client - VISA
  • IBISWorld client - ADP
  • IBISWorld client - Deloitte
  • IBISWorld client - AMEX
  • IBISWorld client - Bank of Montreal