According to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), one in 15 adults (6.6 percent) has diabetes, up from one in 20 (5.1 percent) a decade earlier.

James Mowle, ABS head of health statistics, said: ‘Males are more likely to have diabetes than females. And adults living in the most disadvantaged areas are more likely to have diabetes than those in the least disadvantaged areas.’

Older people are more likely to have diabetes than younger people. Another 2.7 per cent of adults are at high risk of diabetes.

Nearly a third of adult Australians (30.2 per cent) have high total cholesterol, down from 33.2 per cent in 2011–12. Females (32.1 per cent) are more likely to have high cholesterol than males (28.2 per cent).

The survey also revealed that one in five adults (20.6 per cent) has a vitamin D deficiency, which is more likely to occur in winter than summer (since sun exposure is one way of getting the vitamin) and varies significantly by state.

‘Results showed 26.1 per cent of Australian adults are vitamin D deficient in winter, compared to 15.5 per cent in summer. We know that vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium effectively, which is important for bone health and muscle function. A severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to brittle and fragile bones.’ Mr. Mowle said.