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obesity in canada: stats, impact and resources 

the cost of inaction in treating obesity surpassed $27 billion in 2023, which is 20 per cent higher than previous estimates.

by karen hawthorne
published jan 07, 2025
read time 6 minute read
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read time 6 minute read
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science has shown that genes account for 25 per cent of the predisposition to be overweight for some people, while for others the genetic influence is as high as 70 to 80 per cent. getty images
obesity can affect anyone. close to one in three canadians aged 18 and older live with obesity and about one-third of canadian children live with obesity or overweight. many people carrying extra weight in childhood are often told that they’ll grow out of it, but it’s not that simple.
researchers looking to understand the forces behind what’s now called the obesity epidemic in the country have revealed that obesity is a complex and chronic disease that relates to genetic makeup and environmental inputs like habits, sleep problems, certain medications and sedentary lifestyle. obesity occurs when a person’s body weight is above what is considered normal for their height.
what is also certain is that obesity can negatively impact overall quality of life as well as physical and mental health. while education and medical treatments advance in the obesity community, stigma and weight discrimination continue to be roadblocks to proper care and access to treatment.

obesity stats in canada on the rise

the prevalence of obesity has risen significantly over the last two decades. according to the self-reported weight and height data from the 2022 canadian community health survey, almost one in three canadians aged 18 and older were obese in 2022. this is up from just over one in five in 2003. in 2023, around nine million canadian adults were considered obese, statistica reports.

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diagnosed with obesity: managing stigma, treatments and support
although obesity is prevalent in canada, proper care and access to care for people living with the condition is significantly lacking.
talking to your physician and care team about support options is also a great way to start actively finding resources that could benefit you.

living with obesity stigma: celebrity chef rodney bowers uses his platform for change
"i think what’s important for people to do is to just make sure that people see that they’re a human … that in itself is just going to help break the stigma of obesity."
according to rodney bowers, to come out from under the umbrella of stigma, people need to realize that people living with obesity are just "regular people."
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also alarming, one in three children between the ages of 0 and 17 are living with overweight or obesity. by comparison, in 1978/79, 23 per cent of children aged two to 17 were overweight or obese. being overweight or obese puts children at greater risk for a number of chronic diseases and health conditions such as heart disease, asthma and type 2 diabetes. as researchers note in a 2020 report in the canadian journal of cardiology, “childhood obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors that can lead to early atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease (cvd).”
hypertension, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation are associated with vascular changes in childhood, and these contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular events in adulthood if not adequately treated.” in a nation-wide study in 2023, researchers at the university of british columbia revealed a 60 per cent increase type 2 diabetes among canadian children over the last decade. living with obesity and overweight was cited as a determining factor.
the widespread misperception that people in larger bodies weigh more because of poor food choices or laziness is outdated. science has shown that genes account for 25 per cent of the predisposition to be overweight for some people, while for others the genetic influence is as high as 70 to 80 per cent. in fact, our bodies are programmed to protect us from weight loss because of food scarcity faced by early humans when many struggled to get enough to eat. this is one reason people find it hard to keep off the weight they have lost with studies showing that those who have lost a significant five per cent of their body weight, regain what they lose in two to five years.
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obesity canada
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obesity is a chronic disease that needs long-term management which includes a multi-faceted approach to lifestyle and interventions.

other notable statistics for obesity in canada: 

  • the average obesity rate in rural areas of canada is more than 31 per cent.
  • data from the canadian health measures survey in the decade leading up to the pandemic reveals that less than half (45 per cent) of canadian adults met the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. men were more likely to meet the guidelines than women in every age group. as well, young adults aged 18 to 34 years were most likely to be active, with just under two-thirds (65 per cent) of men and just over half (53 per cent) of women meeting the recommended guidelines. the rate decreases with aging and was lowest among older canadians, with one-quarter (25 per cent) of men and just over one-fifth (21 per cent) of women aged 65 years and older meeting 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
  • when it comes to dietary habits, ultra-processed food and drink products (upf) now dominate the food supply in high-income countries including canada, and their sales and consumption have been steadily increasing in lower-middle and middle-income countries. in 2016, per capita sales of upf were estimated at 275 kg per year in canada, the fourth highest among 80 countries.
  • people living with obesity are more likely to have other health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure. the canadian health measures survey shows that measured hypertension was more than two times as likely to occur among adults who were overweight or living with obesity, compared with their normal-weight counterparts. from the 2018 and 2019 data, adults who are overweight or living with obesity aged 60 to 79 had the highest prevalence of hypertension (58 per cent), while adults aged 20 to 39 had the lowest, regardless of weight status.
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    impact of obesity on canadian society

    consider the sheer number of people affected by the disease and its associated physical and mental health problems. obesity rates have reached significant levels, with nearly one in three canadians living with the chronic disease. more people will need increasingly complex care and support, putting an added strain on an already burdened healthcare system.
    to see the full impact, obesity canada produced an economic analysis in 2023 to look at the financial burden of untreated obesity on the healthcare system and the workplace. its findings show that the overall failure to recognize obesity as a chronic and progressive disease, combined with a lack of access to effective prevention and treatment, has led to substantial economic impacts:
    • the cost of inaction in treating obesity surpassed $27 billion in 2023, which is 20 per cent higher than previous estimates.
    • the incremental annual cost on canada’s healthcare system because of obesity was $5.9 billion and is linked with 19 million more physician visits among other care and support needs.
    • the analysis showed another $639 million is associated with 10,000 seniors entering long-term care because of obesity-related diseases.
    • indirect costs reached an estimated $21.7 billion from increased workplace absenteeism, lower workplace presenteeism, obesity-related disability pension payments, premature deaths attributable to obesity, and lower incomes.
    • women living with obesity are 5.3 per cent less likely to be employed compared to women of healthy weight. this disparity is far less pronounced for men, at only 0.3 per cent, despite more men living with obesity.
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            these costly impacts are projected to worsen unless action is taken.

            resources and support for obesity in canada

            the leading associations representing obesity are:
            • obesity canada provides information to learn more about the disease, risk factors, potential treatment paths and research.
            • obesity matters focuses on the health and well-being of people with obesity and building community. it offers free webinars and support groups that provide access to top professionals and healthcare providers.
            connecting with organizations can help people and their families cope with the diagnosis of obesity and how to navigate care. there’s a lot to learn about medication, nutrition, exercise, mental health support and treatment options. while each person’s condition and experience are unique, people who participate in support groups and outreach programs find a sense of belonging and understanding.
            sharing experiences with people who know first-hand the challenges and stigma surrounding obesity can help people feel supported and less alone in their journey. they can take away valuable information and friendship.
            research has made significant progress in pharmacology treatments, understanding the causes underlying obesity and the increased risk of co-morbidities like heart disease, osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes, there is still work to be done. all patients need access to proper care and treatment —and deserve to live without judgement and weight discrimination.
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            karen hawthorne
            karen hawthorne

            karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

            read more about the author

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