Weight Conditions (Overweight, Obesity)

What You Need to Know About Obesity and Weight Loss in Canada

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Defining Overweight vs. Obesity

Obesity Facts and Statistics in Canada

What the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Says About Obesity

The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified several factors that may contribute to overweight and obesity.

• • Demographic factors:
    • Income levels (e.g., affecting which foods are bought)
    • Where you live in the country
  • Lifestyle factors:
    • Eating behaviours (size and content of meals)
    • Consumption of sugary beverages
  • Activity factors:
    • Daily activity level
    • Sleep habits (too much or too little sleep)
  • Psychological factors

   

  Canadian obesity rates vary by province and county, ranging from 18.9% or less, to 37.6% or more.

The ‘Obesity Epidemic’ in Canada

Generally speaking, obesity rates have risen in Canada over the last thirty years. More men than women tend to be overweight or obese, although more women than men may fall into the more severe categories of obesity.

Societal factors often play a role in trends for weight gain and obesity. For example, every-day foods tend to contain refined sugar. These foods have become some of the most affordable options at local grocery stores. Sugary drinks are thought to be particularly problematic.  Combining additional processed sugar in the average Canadian’s daily caloric intake with a sedentary lifestyle has produced an environment in which Canadians have gained weight at a rapid pace.

A study from the University of Toronto indicates that Canadians would only need to consume 11 extra calories per day to put on an additional 20 – 30 pounds in a 25-year period. That’s the equivalent of eating a single potato chip per day.

Obesity Risk Factors and Health Hazards

Genetic Predisposition for Weight Gain and Obesity

Should You Be Losing Weight?

Do you know when you should start to consider losing weight? Your BMI is the first indication that you may be carrying excess weight. You might also consider these signs and symptoms when evaluating yourself or another for obesity:

• Low self-esteem, embarrassment, and a sense of isolation
• Frequent or profuse sweating
• Shortness of breath during even minor physical activities
• Loud and frequent snoring
• Joint pain or a sore back
• Generally feeling tired on a daily basis
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• High blood sugar levels

No single sign or symptom should be taken as a sign of obesity. If you are in any doubt, see your doctor who will assess your weight and make recommendations.

Morbid Obesity

A BMI of 30 and above indicates obesity.  Obesity is sub-divided into categories depending on how much higher than 30 a person’s BMI is.  Morbid obesity, the most extreme form of obesity, affects a subset of the obese population in Canada that is growing. People with morbid obesity may have trouble with everyday activities such as walking and breathing.

Morbid obesity poses statistically higher risks of developing serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and arthritis, to name a few.

Individuals can be characterized as morbidly obese when their:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds 39, or
• BMI does not exceed 39, but they are 100 pounds or more over their normal weight range.

Weight Loss and Obesity in Children

Being overweight or obese can affect childhood development negatively, especially concerning self-esteem and the ability to participate in social activities.

Child obesity, like adult obesity, occurs when there is too much fat on the body.  Eating unhealthy food, overeating in general, and a lack of exercise may all contribute to childhood obesity. Many unhealthy foods come disguised in the form of sugary beverages that most people don’t identify as “food,” but which still contain large amounts of calories. Children are particularly drawn to such sugary drinks.

Keep an eye out for these signs associated with childhood obesity.

• Embarrassment and low self-esteem
• Depression
• Being bullied at school
• Lack of interest in physical activities
• Asthma
• Skin conditions
• Headaches

Childhood Obesity Rates in Canada

Overall rates of childhood obesity are substantially higher than 30 years ago. However, there is some indication that the rate might have fallen slightly in recent years, based on information gathered by Statistics Canada.

How Overweight and Obesity is Determined in Children

The BMI for children and teens aged 2 – 19 is calculated in the same way as adults. However, the categorization of the BMI into overweight or obese categories is different and is dependent on age and gender. This is because the amount of body fat changes as children and teens grow, and this needs to be taken into consideration.  Also, body fat levels are different in boys and girls.

You can use this BMI Percentile Calculator for Child and Teen to determine your child’s or teen’s BMI and weight categorisation.

Weight Loss Programs for Children

As a start, encourage children to drink water throughout the day in lieu of sugary drinks. Try to provide smaller portions of food to your child, and replace processed foods with healthier alternatives. Set a good example – kids will be more likely to eat vegetables and fruits if they see them on the plates of the adults around them.

Children’s meals should include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grain foods
• Nuts

Ensure that your child engages in 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Encourage your child to partake in gym class at school, go for walks or bike rides during free time, and play recreational sports seasonally. Minimizing screen time may also encourage more physical activity.

How to Maintain a Healthy Weight

While everyone’s body has a different disposition to weight gain and weight loss, these strategies work well in preventing obesity for the average individual.

Create a Healthy Eating Plan

• By following a low-calorie and nutrient-heavy diet, you will be well on your way to preventing obesity.
• Plan ahead when it comes to eating throughout the day. Prepare meals that follow your healthy eating strategy.
• By monitoring your weight weekly, you will be more successful in keeping off extra pounds. This can ingrain immediate consequences of dietary habits.
• Understand the difference between sugar and sugar substitutes.

• Find a registered dietitian to assist in creating a healthy meal plan for you and your family.

It is important to establish a thoroughly defined process for purchasing healthy food and consuming it in appropriate portions.

Exercise Regularly

Engaging in 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week (or a combination of each) should go a long way towards preventing weight gain. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.  Engaging in strength training twice per week for all muscle groups complements benefits achieved with aerobic exercise. To lose weight, you may wish to exercise up to 300 minutes each week.

Moderate aerobic activities include

• brisk walking.
• Swimming
• Mowing the lawn

Vigorous aerobic activities include:

• Running outdoors or on a treadmill
• Aerobic dancing
• Sports like squash and tennis

Myths and Truths About Obesity and Weight Loss

Asking friends “am I overweight?” is not likely to yield accurate results. Friends and family have our best interests at heart, but few of them are qualified physicians. And they may be afraid to hurt your feelings. Taking unqualified advice can also lead to participating in unsafe weight loss methods.

For adults, the best way to discover if you are overweight or obese is to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and consult a physician. If your BMI is between 25 and 29 you are considered overweight, while a BMI higher than this is considered obese.

Losing one to two pounds per week is thought to be the healthiest and safest way to fight weight on your own. To lose weight faster, it is recommended that you work with a doctor.  Using non-invasive methods to lose weight should always come before surgery of any kind.

Bariatric surgery may be considered as an option when:

• Your BMI is over 40
• Your BMI is between 35 and 40, but you also have a serious health condition such as:

• • Type 2 Diabetes
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Severe Sleep Apnea

If you think you may qualify, talk with your doctor to get the facts about the risks and potential benefits of gastric bypass surgery.

High-protein diets will make you feel more full, helping you to cut down on your food intake. They are generally safe for most healthy people, especially when followed for a short time.

However, the overall effects of a high-protein diet paired with low carbohydrate consumption over longer periods are still under study. Restricting carbohydrates can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Some high-protein diets consist of eating full fat dairy products and red meat, which are risk factors for heart disease. Instead, try to get your protein in the form of soy, beans, nuts, fish, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.  Finally, high-protein diets can place a strain on the kidneys.

Consult your physician to evaluate the merits of trying a high-protein diet, especially if you have kidney disease, diabetes or other health problems.

While a high-protein diet may help you to lose weight initially, permanent weight loss begins with an eating plan that you can maintain in the long term.

Losing weight on your own is difficult. Having a registered dietician and/or certified health coach can help you navigate through the sea of commercialized fad diets.

Finding a certified health coach with whom you are comfortable takes a little bit of research. Not every coach is made equal. Certified health coaches know that permanent, healthy weight loss doesn’t work the same for everyone. Make sure that your certified health coach creates a plan that works for you.

Many people have a specific area where fat accumulates; e.g., on the hips and thighs or the belly. Their goal is to lose inches in those areas, without losing weight in other parts of the body – so called spot reduction.  Unfortunately, spot reduction may not be possible.

While exercising those areas of the body where you want to lose weight can increase strength and endurance in your muscles, it cannot cause more fat to be burned in that specific area. Fat reduction will occur throughout the body.

Latest Health Articles

Resources

JoinAStudy uses only trusted resources such as those that comply with the Health On The Net Code of Conduct (HONcode), thereby ensuring that we are providing high-quality health information to professionals and the general public. The information that is provided should not be taken as professional medical advice. If you are having issues or have health-related concerns, you should see your personal physician.

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