DIETING AND BODY MASS

Around two thirds (67%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over were overweight (28%) or obese (39%) based on their measured height and weight. Of these, only one in six (17%) of them were on a diet consisting of 10% of those who were overweight and 21% of those who were obese.

Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were overweight or obese, dieters were more likely than those who were not on a diet to consider themselves to be overweight (78% compared with 53%). Dieters were also more likely than those who were not on a diet to be dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their weight (55% compared with 32%).

Was there a difference by remoteness?

There were similar proportions of overweight or obese Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dieters in non-remote and remote areas. However, those in non-remote areas were more likely to consider themselves to be overweight, and were also more likely to be dissatisfied with their weight.



How does this compare with non-Indigenous people?

The overall prevalence of dieting among overweight and obese people was 17% in both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous populations.

Overweight or obese Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were less likely than non-Indigenous people to consider themselves to be overweight, and were also less likely to be dissatisfied with their weight.