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Australia Ranks Among World’s Most Obese Nations in 2026 With 32% Adult Rate

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SYDNEY — Australia continues to rank among the world’s most obese developed nations in 2026, with adult obesity prevalence hovering around 32%, placing the country roughly 36th globally according to the latest international data and highlighting ongoing public health challenges despite awareness campaigns and policy efforts.

weight obesity scale

Recent estimates from the Global Obesity Observatory and World Obesity Federation place Australia’s adult obesity rate at approximately 32.05%, with some sources citing 31.8% based on 2022 World Health Organization benchmarks that remain the foundation for 2026 projections. This positions Australia just behind Poland at 32.19% and ahead of Uruguay at 31.64% in global rankings dominated by Pacific island nations at the top.

The figures underscore Australia’s status as one of the heaviest countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. In OECD data for 2022-2023, Australia ranked 10th out of 21 countries for combined overweight and obesity rates at 64%, well above the OECD average of 59%. For obesity alone, the country placed 7th highest in some earlier OECD comparisons, with rates significantly exceeding the bloc’s average of around 25-26%.

Pacific island countries lead the world in obesity prevalence. Nauru, American Samoa, Tokelau, Cook Islands and Tonga top most 2026 lists with rates often exceeding 60-70%, driven by rapid dietary shifts, limited physical activity and genetic factors in small populations. In contrast, nations in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa report some of the lowest rates, below 5% in countries like Vietnam and Timor-Leste.

Australia’s rate has risen steadily over decades. In 1990, adult obesity was far lower; by 2022, it reached about 30-31% according to WHO age-standardized data, with slight increases projected into 2026 amid post-pandemic lifestyle changes and ongoing dietary patterns. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that in 2022, nearly two-thirds of adults (around 65.8%) were overweight or obese, equating to about 13 million people.

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Men and women show modest differences, with some datasets indicating slightly higher rates among men in certain age groups. Obesity prevalence climbs with age, peaking in the 55-64 bracket. Regional variations exist too: rates are higher in inner regional and remote areas (around 69-70% overweight or obese) compared to major cities at 64%.

Childhood and adolescent obesity add to the concern. Projections from the World Obesity Atlas 2026 suggest significant numbers of Australian children aged 5-19 living with high BMI, though exact 2026 figures align with broader trends showing increases. One study estimated that without intervention, half of Australian children and young people could be overweight or obese by 2050, representing a sharp rise from 1990 levels.

Health experts link Australia’s high rates to a mix of factors common in high-income nations: abundant processed foods high in sugar, fat and salt; sedentary lifestyles fueled by desk jobs, screen time and car dependency; urban design that often discourages walking or cycling; and socioeconomic disparities that affect access to healthy options. Marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to children, and portion sizes larger than in previous generations also play roles.

The economic burden is substantial. Obesity contributes to higher risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, osteoarthritis and mental health issues. In Australia, these conditions drive billions in healthcare costs annually, lost productivity and reduced quality of life. The OECD has long highlighted obesity as a major drag on national economies across member states.

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Government responses include national strategies, state-level programs and public campaigns promoting healthier eating and physical activity. Initiatives such as the Healthy Food Partnership, sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in some jurisdictions and school-based education aim to curb the trend. However, critics argue efforts have been insufficient against powerful food industry influences and systemic barriers.

Projections for 2035 from the World Obesity Federation warn that without stronger action, nearly 47% of Australian adults could live with obesity, reflecting an annual increase of around 2.2%. This trajectory mirrors global patterns, where adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990 and now affects over 890 million people worldwide, or about 16% of adults.

Australia’s experience reflects broader developed-world challenges. The United States leads many Western rankings with rates around 42% in recent 2025-2026 updates, while the United Kingdom, Chile and Mexico also post high figures. In contrast, Asian nations with traditional diets and higher activity levels maintain lower prevalence, though urbanization is gradually shifting those patterns.

Public health advocates call for multifaceted approaches: stricter regulation of junk food advertising, improved urban planning for active transport, subsidies for fresh produce, better food labeling and expanded access to weight management services, including new medications like GLP-1 agonists that have shown promise but raise equity and cost concerns.

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Medical professionals emphasize that obesity is a complex chronic condition influenced by genetics, environment and behavior, not simply a matter of personal responsibility. Stigma remains a barrier to effective care, with many patients facing judgment rather than support.

In 2026, Australia continues investing in research through bodies like the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and collaborations with international organizations. Data collection relies on self-reported surveys in some cases, which may underestimate true prevalence, while measured data provides more accuracy but is less frequent.

The situation among indigenous populations deserves particular attention. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians experience higher rates of overweight and obesity, compounded by historical and social determinants of health. Targeted programs seek to address these disparities through culturally appropriate interventions.

Globally, the World Health Organization notes that obesity has become a crisis affecting every region, with low- and middle-income countries increasingly facing a “double burden” of undernutrition and obesity. In 2022, one in eight people worldwide lived with obesity, a figure that has continued rising.

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For Australia, maintaining its position in the upper tier of OECD obesity rankings serves as a call to action. Policymakers, healthcare providers and communities are exploring innovative solutions, from community gardens and active school programs to workplace wellness initiatives and potential expansion of bariatric services.

As April 2026 unfolds, fresh data releases and World Obesity Day observances keep the issue in the spotlight. Experts stress that reversing trends requires sustained, whole-of-society commitment rather than short-term campaigns.

While Australia’s 32% adult obesity rate in 2026 places it firmly among the more affected high-income nations — far from the Pacific islands’ extremes but well above global averages — there remains room for progress through evidence-based policies and cultural shifts toward healthier living.

The coming years will test whether Australia can bend the curve downward or if rates will continue their decades-long climb, with profound implications for individual health, healthcare systems and national productivity.

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Amprius Technologies: Growth Continues To Impress, But Valuation Is Getting Lofty

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Amprius Technologies: Growth Continues To Impress, But Valuation Is Getting Lofty

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David focuses on growth & momentum stocks that are reasonably priced and likely to outperform the market over the long-term. He is a long term investor of quality stocks and uses options for strategy. David told investors to buy in March 2009 at the bottom of the financial crisis. The S&P 500 increased 367% and the Nasdaq increased 685% from 2009 through 2019. He wants to help make people money by investing in high-quality growth stocks.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of QS either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

The article is for informational purposes only (not a solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell stocks). David is not a registered investment adviser. Investors should do their own research or consult a financial adviser to determine what investments are appropriate for their individual situation. This article expresses my opinions, and I cannot guarantee that the information/results will be accurate. Investing in stocks involves risk and could result in losses.

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Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Tyneside care training provider opens India base

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The facility is the first outside of the UK for Training in Care

Dr Angela Brown, founder and CEO of Training in Care.

Dr Angela Brown, founder and CEO of Training in Care.(Image: Creo Comms)

South Shields firm Training in Care has launched its first centre outside of the UK with a move to target the Indian market.

The provider of industry courses in South Tyneside and Sunderland has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guardian Angel Institute of Caregiving, which has 300 carers in the Kerala region and has provided care to thousands since its launch 2012. Working with Institute, the firm aims to upskill workers from across the country’s care sector.

Training in Care says it aims improve the quality of life for care receivers in India and address problems in the UK’s domestic care sector by sharing knowledge and best practice. The company has also entered into a two-year knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with University of Sunderland to support the move.

Dr Angela Brown, founder and CEO of Training in Care, said: “Opening our first training centre outside of the UK is an incredibly proud moment for everyone associated with the business. Over the past 27 years, we’ve helped thousands of people gain the skills required to enter or progress their career in the care sector, so we’ve seen first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

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“For example, while we have made real in-roads in the UK to ensure our carers have the required social care skills to enter the industry, for too long we have overlooked the need for basic healthcare skills, which is something that is seen as essential for anyone working in the industry in India. At the same time, their care sector hasn’t adopted the same quality of care standards which we have.

“This is why initiatives like this are so important, as it will allow peers in both countries to share best practice and knowledge and ensure that the tens of millions of people receiving care in both countries receive the best possible care and support. It fills us with immense pride to be expanding internationally and to be working alongside the fantastic teams at Guardian Angels and University of Sunderland. We can’t wait to get started.”

Announcing the partnership, Dr Usher Titus, chair of Kerala’s Additional Skill Acquisition Programme, an initiative led by the Higher Education Department, said: “On one side, we have an institution rooted deeply in care and clinical excellence – Guardian Angel Institute of Caregiving – shaping compassionate, skilled professionals here in India. And on the other hand, we have a globally respected name – Training in Care – with decades of expertise and internationally recognised standards.

“They bring a system that ensures that caregiving is not just practiced, but it is perfected. And I can undoubtedly say that individually, they represent excellence. And together, they are going to represent something far greater – a bridge, a pathway, an opportunity for the aspiring caregivers to step beyond borders, to learn, to grow. It’s not just a collaboration; it’s the beginning of a global pathway for a career in caregiving.”

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Dr Derek Watson, associate professor in cultural management at University of Sunderland, said: “Securing a KTP with Training in Care, worth £200,000, is predicated around the University of Sunderland actively supporting UK organisations and clearly demonstrating that the University has the commercial expertise to tangibly grow businesses.

“Our relationship with Training in Care has been actively nurtured over several years and we are delighted in that this is Training in Care’s first KTP. The two-year project will focus on strategic growth in terms of profit, innovation, and global market expansion. It will also continue to provide a reciprocal gateway to enrich our student commercial insights as they observe Training Cares growth.”

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ServiceNow Stock: Don’t Throw The Baby Out With The Bathwater (NYSE:NOW)

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For almost a decade, I held research analyst positions in various investment firms, mostly in Toronto. I started in sell-side research with a Canadian bank, then moved to a hedge fund, followed by a family office and then finished my career in wealth management. I was 20 on my first day on Bay Street. I will forever remember. I had worked so hard to get there, from a small French-speaking town in Québec. Getting my CFA and CAIA designations by 25 was another important milestone. I was a young man with a dream, wanting to make it big. However, life was about to teach me a painful lesson. Before conquering the world, a man must first conquer himself by going into the depths of his own abyss. Only then may he shed his naivety and become a man truly able to love.For the last four years, I have been living in a yurt in the boreal forest, approximately 100 kilometres away from the closest paved road or grocery store. In a forest full of birds, just beside a lake full of fish. For water, I go to the creek. For heat, there is plenty of white birch and quaking aspen around. If I need anything in town, I have plenty of money for my needs. I am now 30, in love, and as free as the birds in the skies, so what else can I ask for? In all humility, and in all gratitude, I say thank you to this grandiose symphony we call life.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NOW either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Jobs created as gaming machine supplier strikes key national deal

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Bob Rudd has joined forces with South East-based counterpart SX Leisure for the contract

Bob Rudd has been operating since 1989.

Charlotte and Nick Rudd, of pubs supplier Bob Rudd.(Image: Bob Rudd)

Gambling machine and pool tables specialist Bob Rudd has created jobs on the back of a major contract to supply pubs across the country.

The Tyneside firm has partnered with Witham firm SX Leisure to feed Inspired Entertainment with equipment and servicing to venues, from Northumberland and Cumbria to the West Midlands. The move has created 40 jobs, and will see the two firms supply 1,000 pubs.

Nick Rudd, managing director the Brunswick Village firm, said: “It’s been a busy few months but we couldn’t be happier with how things have gone. Being selected to support a significant portfolio of pub venues previously supplied by Inspired has given us the opportunity to bring our service-first model to even more venues and the feedback from customers has been fantastic.

“It’s a real testament to the dedication of our entire team — both existing staff and new arrivals.”

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He added: “The move has also strengthened staffing — with new colleagues joining the business — and enhanced our ability to provide responsive, high-quality support nationwide. We’re seeing the benefits of scale without compromising the independent, service-led approach for which the business is known.”

Together the two companies have taken on more than 1,800 machines across 1,000 venues with SX Leisure reporting a 30% uptick in business. Greg Wood, director at SX Leisure, said: “It’s been an exciting challenge for both our existing team and those who’ve joined us during this process.

“The response from both our longstanding clients and new venues has been overwhelmingly positive. Our new colleagues have hit the ground running and I can’t thank the entire team enough for delivering the full SX Leisure experience at scale.”

As well headquarters in Witham, SX also has depots in Yeovil and Washington. Mr Wood added: “Our growth has never been taken for granted and this is just the beginning of the next chapter in SX Leisure’s journey.”

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Inspired continues to supply both companies as well as supplying retail gaming and betting businesses — including licensed betting shops, bingo and slots rooms, motorway services and pubs. Ian Shreeve, vice president and general manager gaming sales UK at Inspired said “This partnership has been everything we hoped for.

“Both the Bob Rudd and SX Leisure teams have delivered on every level — providing efficient operations, dependable service and a customer-first mindset. Inspired remains fully committed to the UK pub market and this collaboration ensures that pubs and customers continue to receive the highest-quality games, terminals, service and support.”

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I spent 30 years in the institutional trenches as a trader, analyst, and portfolio manager, eventually running the equity trading desk at Northern Trust in Chicago. Those decades shaped my approach: stay disciplined, trust the data, and keep emotion out of the way. Since 2009, when I began publishing my stock selections, my portfolio has delivered solid long term results—compounding in the mid teens annually through 2025. Today I’m a private investor and investing coach, with a rules based framework that helps people build better portfolios. My work focuses on systematic thinking, behavioral awareness, and evidence over opinion. For my market outlook and model portfolio updates, visit zeninvestor.org. .

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NVDA, AVGO, GOOGL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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