Obesity Has Become Normalised With Australians Struggling To Identify That They're Overweight

The obesity epidemic in Australia has reached the point where being overweight has become normalised, with new research showing that just one in four obese people view themselves as very overweight.

The findings from The Shape of Australia research, courtesy of the Heart Foundation and Cancer Council Victoria, shows that people who fall within the categories of 'overweight' or 'obese' view themselves as of an 'average' weight - with half of the people who were overweight according to their Body Mass Index (BMI) believing they were an 'average' weight.

According to experts, the best way to see if you fall within the overweight or obese category is to measure your waist, as looking at the scales alone does not give a complete reading.

The Herald Sun reports that women are at a greater risk of heart disease or diabetes if their waist circumference is greater than 80 cm, while for men 94 cm is the point of greater risk.

Denial regarding weight also extends to poor dietary decisions, with just one in five people surveyed doing 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. 

One in seven admitted to not exercising at all, while one in ten people eat enough vegetables.