According to new research from the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University, 71.5 per cent of the Griffith adult population are considered to be overweight or obese.

The area was home to 13,484 overweight or obese adults during the 2014/15 financial year, with the area four percentage points above the state average.

Professor of health policy at the Mitchell Institute Rosemary Calder said environmental factors play a key part in obesity rates.

"We have spent too long as a nation expecting individuals to be able to change their behaviour to reduce their weight," she said.

"However, the evidence is very clear that this has little chance of success without a very strong focus on the environmental factors in the places where we live that contribute to poor nutrition and inactivity.

"People in our wealthier suburbs tend to have better access to information about healthy diet and the financial means to access healthy food options and enjoyable physical activity."

According to the study, nearby areas have a higher percentage of an overweight or obese population, with the Coleambally and Darlington Point area having the second highest percentage of overweight or obese citizens in the nation.

The Murrumbidgee Shire area only ranks behind the Katherine government area in the Northern Territory.

Statistics indicate 77.3 per cent of Murrumbidgee Shire residents are overweight or obese, with the number decreasing to 77.2 per cent in Carrathool, 74.1 per cent in Leeton and 73.9 per cent in Hay.

Dietitian Jessica Ammendolia said education into what causes obesity needs to begin at an early age.

"By the time a child starts school, it's actually too late," Ms Ammendolia said.

Ms Ammendolia said the types of food children enjoy are often decided by the time they begin education and recommended that obesity is further managed through the community.

"Obesity needs to be managed from a town perspective," she said.

Professor Calder said areas with high rates of obesity are also largely low-socioeconomic communities and also have higher rates of inactivity, chronic illness and smoking.

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She said action is needed at all levels of government to help reduce the rate of obesity in the country.

"It is vitally important that governments at all levels focus on collectively addressing the impact of where we live on our health," she said.

"Local governments are critical to local planning and the creation of healthy and active spaces for their residents.

"However, they are often hampered by lack of funding and regulatory power."

According to statistics from the 2017/18 Australian Health Survey, 67 per cent of all adult Australians are overweight or obese, an increase from 61.1 per cent in 2007/08.

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