Australian Health Survey: First Results, 2011-12

First results from the Australian Health Survey have some good and bad news; smoking rates continue to fall, as do rates of drinking at risky levels, but the number of people who are overweight and obese continues to rise. First Assistant Statistician at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Dr Paul Jelfs, said the 2011-12 Australian Health Survey was the largest checkup on the nation's health ever undertaken.
"Compared to four years ago the proportion of overweight adult Australians has increased by more than two percentage points, meaning that nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of the population are now classified as overweight or obese," Dr Jelfs said.

This publication contains first results from the 2011-13 Australian Health Survey, including health risk factors (such as alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and Body Mass Index); long-term health conditions; mental health and wellbeing; and physical activity. Information is presented for Australia and the states and territories.

4364.0.55.001 Australian Bureau of Statistics