Western Australia hospitals spend more than $240 million annually on overweight or obese patients. The Department of Health report revealed that public hospitals in the region struggle with the rising costs of healthcare, especially on patients with type 2 diabetes, congestive heart failure and hypertension.

The health department conducted a study on how much hospitals pay for emergency and in-patient expenses as total hospital costs are expected to increase rapidly. Dr. Ben Scalley, who led the study, said the results showed alarming trends in healthcare services. He said Western Australia needs to create programs and policies specifically designed for overweight or obese patients.

He remarked if trends will continue, Western Australia's projected costs may double by 2021 or $488.4 million.

According to the report, 62,962 patients were admitted to hospitals in 2011 due to illnesses associated with excess body mass. Emergency departments spent $3.7 million for 8,655 overweight patients.

The report also found that obese men were more likely to get hospital care than overweight women.

Rising Obesity Rate Increases Pregnancy Problems

Meanwhile, pregnant women weighing as high as 300 kilograms and with heavy body mass index (BMI) who are giving birth in Queensland may risk not only their lives but also their babies.

Based on the findings of a new study, the rising obesity rates have been linked to increasing deaths of pregnant women and birth defect cases.

Associate Prof. Rebecca Kimble said the results of the study conducted by the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital suggested a rising trend of overweight or obese pregnant women. Between 2008 and 2012, one-fourth of pregnant women in the hospital were overweight while the rest were obese.

Brisbane researchers found being overweight and pregnant do not only affect women but also their unborn children. Obesity has been found to contribute to the increase of stillbirths, infant deaths and birth defects.

Researchers feared that Queensland may be following the U.S. where pregnancy deaths had been doubled in number from 1987 to 2009. Obesity can be prevented, but it is still the biggest killer in Queensland.

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