Obesity - recommendations for management in general practice and beyond

Obesity is a complex, chronic, relapsing condition and, along with ageing, is the greatest contributing factor to chronic disease burden in our society. It is well recognised that Australia has one of the highest prevalences of overweight and obesity in the developed world, affecting over 60 of adults and 25 of children and adolescents; this figure is predicted to increase to close to 80 of adults by the year 2025. One-quarter of Australian adults are considered to be obese (body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/ m2), and numbers affected by this more severe form of overweight are rising exponentially. The economic burden associated with the epidemic proportions of obesity in Australia has been attributed to the overall healthcare cost of 58.2 billion in 2008, with direct healthcare costs in excess of 8 billion per year. These figures are only likely to increase, further straining health services.