Overweight and obesity – a major problem for Indigenous Australians
Brief reportJane Burns and Neil Thomson
Abstract
The worldwide ‘epidemic’ of obesity includes Australia, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Levels of overweight and obesity are similar for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, but, importantly, the proportion of obese Indigenous people is considerably higher than that of obese non-Indigenous people. The difference in levels of obesity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is greater for females than for males.
The level of overweight and obesity is slightly higher overall for Torres Strait Islanders than for Aboriginal people, but the level is much higher for Torres Strait Islanders living in the Torres Strait area.
Overweight and obesity are generally caused by energy imbalance over a sustained period of time. Lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy nutrition and lack of physical activity, are the major contributors to the development of overweight and obesity, but a genetic predisposition is also believed to contribute. The social and other disadvantages experienced by many Indigenous people contribute to their levels of overweight and obesity through lifestyle factors. This is particularly so for Indigenous people living in rural remote areas, many of whom have limited access to nutritious food at reasonable prices.
Healthy environments and steps to address the social inequities in health are necessary for prevention strategies. Improving access to nutritious food is a vital step, particularly for Indigenous people in rural and remote areas. Comprehensive strategies, including those for young people, are essential to prevent overweight and obesity leading to further ill-health among Indigenous peoples. Initiatives need to be positioned within broad strategies addressing the continuing social and economic disadvantages that many Indigenous people experience.
