Indicator 6.2 Prevalence of overweight or obesity by mental health status
Considerations
- Due to significant data gaps, this report does not include data for culturally and linguistically diverse people and includes only very limited information relating to those with mental health problems. Further data development is required to examine outcomes within these priority groups.
- NHS estimates of people with mental or behavioural conditions are based on self-reported data and will differ from those obtained from a diagnostic tool such as that used in the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (ABS 2008). Refer to AIHW’s Mental health snapshot published in Australia’s health 2020 for more information.
Overview
In 2017–18, based on self-reported data in the National Health Survey (NHS), the age-standardised prevalence of overweight or obesity among Australian adults aged 18 years and over with a self-reported mental or behavioural condition was slightly higher than adults with no mental or behavioural condition (69% and 66%, respectively).
Age and sex
The age-standardised prevalence of overweight or obesity was similar for men with and without a self-reported mental or behavioural condition. Among women, the age-standardised prevalence of overweight or obesity was higher among those with a self-reported mental or behavioural condition compared to those without a mental or behavioural condition (65% and 57%, respectively) (Figures 6.2.1 and 6.2.2).
Population groups
After adjusting for age, the prevalence of overweight or obesity, both for those with and without a self-reported mental or behavioural condition, was similar across socioeconomic and remoteness areas (Figure 6.2.2).
State and territory
Across the states and territories, the prevalence of overweight or obesity among adults with a self-reported mental or behavioural condition ranged from 64% in the Australian Capital Territory to 75% in the Northern Territory. Among those with no mental or behavioural condition, the prevalence of overweight or obesity was similar by state and territory, ranging from 64% to 69%.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
In 2018–19, based on self-reported data from the 2018–19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS), 80% of Indigenous adults with a mental or behavioural condition were overweight or obese. Among those with no self-reported mental or behavioural condition, the prevalence of overweight or obesity was 75%.
Based on estimates from the 2018–19 NATSIHS and 2017–18 NHS, a higher proportion of Indigenous adults with a mental or behavioural condition were overweight or obese than non-Indigenous adults (80% compared with 69%, respectively) (Figure 6.2.2).
Explore the data
6.2 Prevalence of overweight or obesity among adults by mental health status, by age group, 2014–15 and 2017–18 and by selected population groups, 2017–18
Trends figure 6.2.1 shows the prevalence of overweight or obesity among adults with a mental or behavioural condition was 64% in 2014–15 and 69% in 2017–18, increasing slightly in all age groups during this period with the exception of 55–64 years, which decreased slightly from 76% to 74%. Overall, the prevalence of overweight or obesity among adults with a mental or behavioural condition peaked in those aged 45–54 years 77%.
The prevalence of overweight or obesity among adults with no mental or behavioural condition was 63% in 2014–15 and 66% in 2017–18, steady across all age groups with the exception of those aged 18–24 which increased from 40% to 46% during this period. The prevalence of overweight or obesity among adults with no mental or behavioural condition peaked among those aged 65–74 at 78 in 2017–18.
Population group figure 6.2.2 shows that in 2017–18, the prevalence of overweight or obesity was similar by mental health status and, with each group experiencing a similar pattern by selected population group, increasing with age, higher among Indigenous Australians compared with non-Indigenous Australians, increasing slightly with the level of remoteness and socioeconomic disadvantage. Prevalence varied by state and territory.
Indicator 6.2 data specifications
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Definition |
Data source |
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Numerator |
Estimated number of adults (18+ years) who were overweight or obese (BMI ≥25), by mental health status. Mental or behavioural condition estimates included organic mental conditions, alcohol and drug conditions, mood conditions and other mental and behavioural conditions |
ABS 2019a; ABS 2019b; ABS 2016 |
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Denominator |
Estimated Australian population (18+ years), by mental health status. Mental or behavioural condition estimates included organic mental conditions, alcohol and drug conditions, mood conditions and other mental and behavioural conditions |
ABS 2019a; ABS 2019b; ABS 2016
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ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) 2008. National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: summary of results, 2007. ABS cat. no. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS.
ABS 2016. Microdata: National Health Survey, 2014–15. ABS cat. no. 4324.0.55.001. Findings based on Detailed Microdata analysis. Canberra: ABS.
ABS 2019a. Microdata: National Health Survey, 2017–18. ABS cat. no. 4324.0.55.001. Findings based on Detailed Microdata analysis. Canberra: ABS.
ABS 2019b. Microdata: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Australia, 2018–19. ABS cat. no. 4715.0.55.001. Findings based on Detailed Microdata analysis. Canberra: ABS.