The term “obesogenic environment” refers to “an environment that promotes gaining weight and one that is not conducive to weight loss” within the home or workplace (Swinburn, et al., 1999). The consequence of the imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, causes obesity and an obesogenic environment supports obesity.

Australian Obesity statistics

• Overweight and obesity rates continue to rise
• Australia currently has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world.     Qld is one of the fatest states in Australia

• In 2007–08, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 12 children were obese

• Being overweight or obese increases the risk of coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis, sleep apnoea and some cancers).

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012. Australia’s food & nutrition 2012. Cat. no. PHE 163. Canberra: AIHW

It seems that in the progress and development of products, equipment and services to provide convenience to accommodate a busy lifestyle, an obesogenic environment has been created.

Obesogenic environment

What is an obesogenic environment?

• Increased availability and decreased relative cost of foods which tend to be energy dense and relatively nutrient-poor.
• Increased availability and marketing of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and drinks
• Urban design reduces energy expenditure during daily activities and increased reliance on car
• Invention of labour-saving devices
• Reduced perceptions of safety leading to fewer opportunities for physical activity
• Economic and consumer changes, such as a greater number of women in the paid workforce
• Decreased food literacy and cooking skills, and greater reliance on convenience and takeaway foods

Source: National Health and Medical Research Council (2013) Australian Dietary Guidelines. Canberra: National Health and Medical

Human development

It will no doubt take many years of public health intervention, to pursuade leaders to take more action on the increasing obesity epidemic, considering the length of time it took to restrict smoking. Smoking was linked to lung cancer in 1952 yet took decades for public health restrictions to take place.