2013

The Canadian Obesity Epidemic: We need a game plan #FaceTheProblem

The Canadian Obesity Epidemic: We need a game plan #FaceTheProblem
A recent study published in Canadian Journal of Public Health  found that Canadian obesity rates are at an all time high and to make matters worse they continue to climb.

It's time to #FaceTheProblem head on!  Obesity has a face and its looking more and more like the families we walk past in the street, in our schools and communities.  It's our neighbors, our friends, our own families being affected by this issue.

As a child that personally battled with weight much of my life, I can think of a number of things that would have helped me during that time while I lived as morbidly obese teen.

What are your thoughts on possible solutions?

I believe solutions lie in:

  • Families first - it all starts at home! Parents have to set the tone of what it means to live a healthy, active lifestyle

  • Eduction on health, fitness, wellness and nutrition - in the schools and at home

  • Government involvement on a larger scope - more "free" initiatives for families to plug-in to


These are just a few of my thoughts?  What do you think?

Canadian Childhood Obesity Statistics


The following is an exert from the Childhood Obesity Foundation :
Obesity Statistics Canada, like many nations, is in the midst of an epidemic of overweight and obesity. Currently, 59% of adult Canadians are either overweight or obese. Cities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia were significantly higher in overweight/obesity population than the national average for adults. There has also been a dramatic increase in unhealthy weights in children.  In 1978, only 15% of children were overweight or obese. By 2007, Statistics Canada found that 29% of adolescents had unhealthy weights. Most adolescents do not outgrow this problem and in fact, many continue to gain excess weight. If current trends continue, by 2040, up to 70% of adults aged 40 years will be either overweight or obese. Adults who have unhealthy weights are at increased risk of heart disease, cancer, strokes and type 2 diabetes. In 2005, the total cost of obesity to Canadians was $4.3 billion; $1.8 billion in indirect healthcare costs, and $2.5 billion in indirect costs.  Affected adults may die up to 3 to 7 years earlier than counterparts with a healthy weight. The resultant toll in dollar's cost and lives list is a call for action. Obesity is difficult to reverse and public health measures must include effective prevention beginning in childhood as well as treatment.

Stats about Screen Time and Canadian Youth



  • “In 2004, over a third of children aged 6-11 logged more than 2 hours of screen time each day ” (Canadian Children)

  • “Currently children and youth average close to 8 hours of screen time per day with only 19% of kids aged 10 to 16 meeting the 2-hour guideline”

  • “Of 51,922 Canadian youth in grades 6 to 12, 50.9% spent more than 2 hours per day in screen-based behaviors

  • The average daily screen time was 7.8 (± 2.3) hours” Television Viewing The average Canadian child is sedentary for three to five hours a day in front of the TV. A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal also showed that between 1981 and 1996, the prevalence of overweight boys increased from 15% to 35.4% (the prevalence of overweight girls increased from 15% to 29.2%).


childhood-obesity-epidemic-infographic
Share by: