Obesity trends in Australian adults

Australian adults by weight status

In 2022−23, 65.8% of Australians aged 18 years and over were living with overweight or obesity, comprised of 34.0% overweight and 31.7% obesity. A further 31.6% were of normal weight and 1.6% were underweight.¹

Overweight and obesity by gender

Around seven in 10 (71.2%) Australian men were living with overweight or obesity in 2022−23, compared with 60.5% of women. More men (38.6%) than women (29.6%) were in the overweight category. Similar proportions of men (32.5%) and women (30.9%) were living with obesity.¹

Overweight and obesity prevalence by age and gender

The prevalence of overweight and obesity rose steadily by age group in 2022−23, peaking for men at age 65 to 74 years (81.4%) and for women at 55 to 64 years (69.5%). More than two in five 18 to 24 year-old men (42.3%) and women (41.2%) were living with overweight or obesity in 2022.¹

Overweight and obesity is highest outside major cities

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher for Australian adults living outside major cities in 2022−23. In major cities, 64.0% of Australians were living with overweight or obesity in 2022−23, compared to 69.3% in inner regional Australia and 70.3% in outer regional and remote Australia.¹ The National Health Survey does not collect data from people living in areas classified as very remote.

Overweight and obesity on the rise

After adjusting for age, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australian adults rose from 61.1% in 2007−08 to 64.8% in 2022−23. This trend was mainly driven by a rise in the prevalence of obesity among adults, from 24.4% to 31.1%. The prevalence of adults with overweight (but not obesity) decreased slightly, from 36.7% in 2007−08 to 33.7% in 2022−23.¹

Severity of obesity by age and sex

Severe obesity encompasses the World Health Organization’s definitions of class II and class III obesity (body mass index above 35 or above 40, respectively). In 2022−23, the prevalence of class III obesity (body mass index greater than 40) was highest among adults aged 45−54 years (6.7% of the population), and lowest among those aged 18−24 years (2.9%).¹

Trends in severe obesity

The prevalence of severe obesity has risen over the past 15 years, with the age-standardised prevalence of class II obesity (BMI 35−39.99) among Australian adults increasing from 5.8% in 2007−08 to 7.9% in 2022−23. Class III obesity (BMI 40 or more) more than doubled from 2.2% to 4.6% of adults over the same period.¹

Trends in waist circumference

Waist circumference can be used as an alternative to body mass index, as an indicator of an individual’s risk of developing obesity-related chronic diseases. A higher waist measurement is associated with higher body fat levels and an increased risk of chronic disease. In 2022−23, 45.4% of Australian adults had a waist circumference measure that indicated substantially increased risk (above 102cm for men, or above 88cm for women), an increase from 35.8% in 2007−08.¹

Content for this page was written by Melanie Nichols, Deakin University and reviewed by Kathryn Backholer and Gary Sacks, Co-Directors at the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition at Deakin University. For more information about the approach to content on the site please see About | Obesity Evidence Hub.