Obesity

Diabetes is fast becoming the key health concern for Australia, with a substantial national increase in prevalence and an estimated 10% or more of adults living with the disease. Evidence shows that over half of this disease burden can be prevented by identifying prediabetes and providing appropriate interventions early. However, Australia currently has no accurate estimates of prediabetes prevalence, and no clear strategy on how to act when prediabetes is identified in clinical practice. This article lays out the problem, with potential solutions for government and the community.

Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, Sarah N. Parry, Tien-Ming Hng, N. Wah Cheung, Alice A. Gibson, Emily J. Hibbert, Kean-Seng Lim, Eugen Molodysky, Glen Maberly, Louise A. Baur, Stephen M. Twigg

To the Editor, We read with interest the review by Vaz and colleagues [1] examining metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in Australia. They should be commended on synthesising epidemiological data and emphasising fibrosis as the principal determinant of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Their focus on fibrosis risk stratification, using the Fibrosis-4 Index followed by vibration-controlled transient elastography or enhanced liver fibrosis testing, reflects international consensus and is pragmatic and scalable given rising disease prevalence [2]....

Yousef Hakimi, Prarthana Thiagarajan, Michael Braude

Introduction Eating disorders are more prevalent in people with higher weight than those with low weight. However, contention between the fields of obesity and eating disorders has prevented meaningful progress in research, prevention, identification and coordinated clinical services for people with co-occurring conditions. In Australia, public health approaches and provision of treatment services for people with eating disorders and clinical obesity are siloed, often resulting in contradictory messaging. To address this, a roundtable meeting was held in November 2024 in Sydney, Australia, with 28 experts in one or both of these fields, including researchers, clinicians and service leaders working across paediatric and adult care, and individuals with lived experience. Guided by the National Eating Disorders Collaboration stepped system of care framework, participants identified key challenges and possible solutions, and established five priority actions.Main RecommendationsThe priority actions across sectors are: Health Campaigns focused on raising awareness of eating disorders at higher weight, using appropriate language and reducing weight stigma; improved Screening and Assessment using standardised protocols across healthcare settings; supporting Primary Healthcare and improving the use of Medicare items; Tailored Treatment Pathways including integrated care models; and building Workforce Capacity to upskill professionals to provide safe, person-centred care.Changes in Management as a Result of the StatementThese actions aim to promote improved cross-sector collaboration and effective, safe, coordinated and integrated approaches to prevention, identification and treatment across the fields of obesity and eating disorders. They address the complex medical and psychological needs of those with co-occurring eating disorders and higher weight or clinical obesity through a skilled workforce and improved access to care. Effective integration, collaboration and coordination across services is essential for long-term recovery support.

Hiba Jebeile, Leah Brennan, Tracy Burrows, Xochitl de la Piedad Garcia, Angelique F. Ralph, Supreet Saluja, Evan Atlantis, Sarah P. Garnett, Carmel J. Harrison, Eve T. House, Natalie B. Lister, Lisa Moran, Milan K. Piya, Elizabeth Rieger, Evelyn Smith, Phillipa Hay, Sarah Trobe