Obesity Cost in Australia
Last Updated 21/06/2007, 09:33:05
The Victorian Auditor General is warning treatment costs linked to obesity rates will hit $AU1billion unless more is done to promote healthy eating.
Journalist Sarah Farnsworth says a report by the auditor general found the efforts by the state government to promote exercise and eating fresh foods failed to slow an increase in obesity.
According to the report almost half of adult Victorians are overweight and the rate of type 2 diabetes has increased by nearly 80 per cent in the past five years.
Since 2001 68 thousand people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with hospital admissions doubling.
The Auditor General has found the cost of treating diabetes, linked to obesity, has risen by 276 million dollars since 2001 and will continue to grow unless the government refines health promotion across the state.
Obesity Cost in Australia