Draft Australian Dietary Guidelines (PDF, 3MB) - Eat For Health

prevalence of obesity alone is higher for boys than girls (10% compared with 6%) [12], althoughthe prevalence of combined overweight and obesity is similar (26% for boys and 24% for girls)[12]. The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased significantly over the past twodecades. Although the rate of increase appears to be slowing in children [701], the high prevalenceremains of concern [702].Childhood obesity has been identified as one of the most serious public health challenges of the21st century [703]. In the United States it has been predicted that - due to premature mortalityassociated with obesity developing at a younger age - the current generation of children will be thefirst in that country’s history to have a life expectancy lower than their parents[704]. As obesity isan important determinant of a range of health disorders, unless the increasing prevalence ofoverweight and obesity is arrested the burden of chronic disease in future generations will bepandemic [6, 695], causing a crisis in health and economic systems across the world [88, 685, 688].4.1.1.3 Predicted trendsIf current trends continue in Australia, it is estimated that by 2025, 83% of men and 75% ofwomen aged 20 years or more will be overweight or obese [705].The predicted increases would significantly affect disease burden and health care costs, mostly dueto an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes. For example, without intervention, type 2 diabeteswill account for around 9% of the total disease burden in Australia in 2023, up from around 5% in2003 [11].DRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines- December 2011 105