Research Underway
Prospective investigation of obesity, ageing and hospitalisation: impact, mediating factors and costs
Investigators:
Emily Banks (PI), Adrian Bauman, James Butler, Louisa Jorm, Mark Clements, Bette Liu, Rosemary Korda and Heather Bowles
Project aim(s):
The overall aim of the project is to provide reliable evidence on how obesity and overweight impact on the risk and costs of hospitalisation in Australia and how this impact varies with ageing, socioeconomic disadvantage, co-morbidity, physical activity and a range of other factors. In doing so, the project will provide much needed information on two of the greatest health challenges facing virtually all industrialised and many developing nations: the obesity epidemic and rapid population ageing. Information on factors underlying variations in the effect of obesity and overweight on hospitalisation will provide information on potential ameliorating and aggravating factors and will allow targeted efforts at reducing the effects of obesity and overweight.
The specific aims of the project are:
- To quantify the impact of obesity and overweight on the risk of hospitalisation in mid and later life
- To investigate how this relationship varies with age, socioeconomic disadvantage, co-morbidity, physical activity and other lifestyle variables, social support, functional capacity and mental health
- To quantify the cost of hospitalisation due to obesity and overweight in Australia
- To estimate the likely impact of projected future levels of obesity and overweight and population ageing on the use and cost of Australian hospital services
- To identify opportunities for specific interventions to reduce the impact of overweight and obesity on hospital use and costs
Project status:
Project approved February 2008
Awaiting funding
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