Depression, diabetes and obesity increasing
More Australians are now suffering depression, diabetes and obesity, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in its ‘Changes in Health’ report which compares the health of Australians in the 10 years to 2004-05.
It found the prevalence of diabetes increased dramatically in those 44 and older, but was highest in the 65-74 age group. The condition is now so common, with more than 1.5 million Aussies suffering either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, that it is described as an epidemic.
The increase in diabetes patients is linked to Australia’s worsening obesity crisis. Statistics also reveal an increase in mental and behavioural problems, with 4.1% of the population reporting a mental health problem in 1995 compared with 10.7 in 2004-05. The most common such illnesses were depression and anxiety disorders.
