Work

Central obesity in regional and remote Australian adults: a population-based Bayesian study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Regional and remote Australians have a higher burden of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Central obesity is a major risk factor for these conditions. Public health policies in regional and remote Australia often fail to address the specific needs of these communities. This study identified the sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial risk factors associated with central obesity in regional and remote Australia. We used data from the 2017–18 Australian National Health Survey, which included a total weighted sample of 18,655 adults aged 18 years and older. Central obesity was defined as a waist circumference (WC) ≥ 102 cm for males and ≥ 88 cm for females. Bayesian multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors and central obesity across remoteness areas. The overall prevalence of central obesity in Australian adults was 38.8%, with the highest prevalence observed in Outer Regional and Remote areas (46.2%). Among adults with normal BMI, the prevalence of central obesity was 6.7% in Outer Regional and Remote areas. In Inner Regional areas, adults who did not complete Year 12 (OR = 1.27; 95% CrI: 1.09, 1.50), lived in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas (OR = 1.71; 95% CrI: 1.26, 2.34), were physically inactive (OR = 2.15; 95% CrI: 1.73, 2.69), or had depression (OR = 1.96; 95% CrI: 1.49, 2.60) had higher odds of central obesity. In Outer Regional and Remote areas, socioeconomic disadvantage (OR = 1.54; 95% CrI: 1.13, 2.13), physical inactivity (OR = 1.51; 95% CrI: 1.19, 1.93), and daily sugary drink consumption (OR = 1.38; 95% CrI: 1.08, 1.77) were also associated with higher odds of central obesity. Central obesity is more prevalent among adults in regional and remote Australia, including among adults not classified as obese by BMI. Approximately one in fifteen adults with normal BMI in Outer Regional and Remote areas had central obesity, highlighting a subgroup that may be missed by BMI-based assessment alone. These findings support targeted regional and remote health strategies that promote physical activity, reduce sugary drink consumption, address socioeconomic disadvantages, and integrate mental health considerations into cardiometabolic risk prevention.

Source: BMC Public Health

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-29863-z