Obesity trends in Australian children
One in four Australian children and adolescents were living with overweight or obesity in 2022–23.
Key Evidence
The prevalence of overweight among Australians aged 2 to 17 years was 18.3% , and the prevalence of obesity was 8.1% in 2022–23
20.4% of boys aged 16 to 17 years were living with overweight and a further 11.8% with obesity in 2022–23
28.8% of Australians aged 2 to 17 years in outer regional and remote Australia were living with overweight or obesity in 2022–23
Overweight and obesity increased from 20.1% (1995) to 27.7% (2022–23) among Australians aged 5 to 17 years
Weight status of Australian children aged 2–17 years
In 2022–23, more than one quarter (26.4%) of children aged 2 to 17 years were living with overweight or obesity – 18.3% with overweight and 8.1% with obesity.1
Weight status
Children aged 2–17 years.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/2022
Note: In 2022, 56.8% of respondents aged 2–17 years did not have their height, weight or both measured. For these respondents, imputation was used to obtain height, weight and BMI scores.
Overweight and obesity by age and gender
The highest rate of overweight and obesity among boys was in the 16–17 year old age group. Among girls, the highest rates were at 8–11 years of age.1
Overweight and obesity by state and territory
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children varies between Australian states and territories.
The highest prevalence of obesity in 2017–18 was in Tasmania (11.4%), and the lowest was in Western Australia (7.2%).4
These maps show the proportion of boys and girls with overweight or obesity, in each jurisdiction.
Prevalence of overweight by state or territory, all children aged 2–17 years, 2017–18
Prevalence of obesity by state or territory, all children aged 2–17 years, 2017–18
Overweight and obesity by location
In 2022–23, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was slightly higher among children and adolescents aged 2–17 years living in regional and remote areas, compared to those living in major cities.5
Trends in overweight and obesity
The percentage of Australian children aged 5 to 17 years with overweight increased from 15.2% in 1995 to 20.2% in 2014–15 and has been relatively stable since (19.5% in 2022–23). The percentage of Australian children aged 5 to 17 years with obesity increased from 4.9% in 1995 to 8.3% in 2022–23.6
Trends in overweight and obesity
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and Obesity webreport Table S11 17June 2024
Note: Percentage of children and adolescents aged 5-17 years with overweight or obesity, 1995 to 2022
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.