Vol 6 No 4 October 2006 - December 2006: ISSN 1445-7253
A peer-reviewed electronic journal from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Brief reports
This section of the Bulletin contains detailed information about programs, and brief research reports. Research reports are peer reviewed but programmatic information generally is not. If you would like to contribute to this section, please see Notes for contributors or contact us.
Overweight and obesity - a major problem for Indigenous Australians
Jane 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.
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