OBESITY EPIDEMIC

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:52): I rise today to speak about the state of Australia's health and, in particular, the current obesity epidemic. A recent report undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has shown that Australians are now among the fattest people in the developed world. The report is the organisation's fourth report comparing key health data from its 30 member countries, principally the world's developed nations. Australian statistics for the report were supplied by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

According to the report, Australia has the fifth highest adult obesity rate of 21.7 per cent, behind the United States at 32.2 per cent; Mexico, 30.2 per cent; Britain, 23 per cent; and Greece, 21.9 per cent. Loss of life is by far the most valuable component of the burden of this disease. However, given the time lag between the onset of obesity and subsequent health problems, such as diabetes, asthma and cardiovascular diseases, the rising rate of obesity in Australia may mean higher health care costs in the future.

Total health care spending accounted for 9.5 per cent of GDP in Australia in 2004, slightly higher than the average of 9 per cent in other countries included in the report. However, the report has produced some positive statistics. While obesity rates in Australia are high, smoking rates continue to decline, due to the great work of ministers such as the Hon. Gail Gago in introducing legislation aimed at reducing the number of smokers in this state.

Australia is a world leader in reducing tobacco consumption. The report shows that Australia is ranked fifth, on 17.7 per cent, in the lowest daily smoking rates by adults. Other world leaders include Sweden (15.9 per cent), the United States (16.9 per cent), Portugal (17 per cent), and Canada (17.3 per cent). Australia has succeeded in more than halving its daily smoking rates over the last 20 years, from 35.4 per cent of adults in 1983 to 17.7 per cent today.

In another recent study conducted by health insurer MBF, a survey of 1,200 people found that 70 per cent rated their health as excellent, very good or good. At the same time, nearly two-thirds described themselves as being overweight or obese. A third of the people surveyed with an obese body mass index of 30 or more believed they were actually obese. Dr Christine Bennett, MBF's chief medical officer, said:

The survey results were disturbing because they indicated that obesity was becoming regarded as the norm in our society.

An Access Economics study revealed that one in four Australian children are now deemed overweight or obese, which has a direct bearing on their social or psychological state. Every year the rate of increase for Australian children stands at 1.7 per cent—triple the US and double the rate in much of Europe. Obesity is an epidemic which confronts the consumer states of the Western World. It is important that we take a total whole of society approach to obesity. It is vital that we encourage individuals to look at how they exercise, what they eat and how they live so we can all lead a healthy lifestyle.