Childhood Obesity in Canada

Presented by Jaiman Lawrence

 Current Obesity Trends in Canadian Society
Canada, much like many other countries, has had
a continuing rise in obesity for decades. From 1978
to 2004, the prevalence of obesity in youths aged
12 to 17 has gone from 14% to 29%¹. A study also
conducted in 2004 shows that all levels of obesity
have increased since 1984 with class III obesity
taking a steep rise, more than tripling since 1984.
Action must be taken to prevent our future
generation from suffering to consequences of this
epidemic.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada. Curbing Childhood Obesity; A
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action to Promote
Healthy Weights, 2012
 Implications of Obesity
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, obese children
are increasingly being diagnosed with conditions which were only
attributed to adults in the past. These conditions include sleep
apnea, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and
joint problems.² Though obesity has serious physical implications,
it can also affect children emotionally. Emotional implication of
obesity can cause children to have low self-esteem and lead to
depression.³ Obesity is not only an issue for health, but a social
concern as well. Social and economic issues that will arise are
much higher health care costs, which put a strain in the economy.
 Implications of Obesity
Health care costs for morbidly obese adults are nearly double
those of adults with a healthy weight, according to a study
presented at the combined annual meeting of the Central Society
for Clinical Research and the Midwestern section of the
American Federation for Medical Research.⁴ Also, these
individuals make up less than 3% of the U.S. adult population, but
they take up more than 10% of all health care spending in the U.S,
reported the study's lead investigator, David E. Arterburn, M.D.,
of the University of Cincinnati.⁴ These statistics show how much
of an economic burden this epidemic can cause, affecting not
only the obese population, but the general public as well.
 Causes of Obesity
Studies have found that BMI is genetically heritable to an extent,
however, this factor is responsible for less than 5% of childhood
obesity cases.⁵ The main causes of obesity are behavioral and
environmental factors, mainly diet and lifestyle. Many children
are consuming large amounts of sugar and processed foods with
large amounts of calories which do not get used, causing them to
be stored as fat. One of the biggest causes of this eating pattern is
sugary drinks, which are less filling than food and can be
consumed at a faster rate, resulting in a higher caloric intake. A
study from 1996–1998 examining children between ages 9–14,
found that consumption of sugary beverages increased BMI over
the years.⁵
 Causes of Obesity
In addition to the unhealthy diet these children are introduced to,
much of their time is spent on devices such as computers or video
game consoles. This lifestyle is a large factor to childhood obesity,
where exercise is not part of their daily routine causing increased
obesity and by doing so, making exercise increasingly more
difficult. A study found an increase in the prevalence of obesity by
2% for each additional hour spent watching television.⁵ Research
also shows a relation with the hours children spend watching
television with their consumption of the advertised foods, such as
sweets, salty foods and sugary drinks.⁶
Current Activity Levels in Canadians
Findings
The Canadian guideline for a healthy
lifestyle is 150 minutes of physical activity
every week⁷. A study conducted in 2012 to
2013 showed a very low percentage of
Canadians following these guidelines. The
study also showed an increased prevalence
of obesity in the percentage of Canadians
who did not meet the guidelines.⁸
Activity Levels in Canadian Children
A study conducted in 2012 to 2013 found
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that the majority of the time spent by
youths and children is spent being
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sedentary. The Canadian Physical Activity
Guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes
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of moderate to vigorous physical activity
daily⁷, the percentage of youth to follow
these guidelines is extremely low. The ● Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
study
also found that the proportion meeting●theSed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore
physical activity guidelines was significantly
higher among youth and children who●were Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
normal weight compared to those who●were Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore
overweight or obese.⁹
 Why is Childhood Obesity our Chief Future Health Problem?
With childhood obesity continuing to be on the rise, the next
generation of Canadians will have to deal with many health
complications stemming from obesity, raising the health care
costs by the many health issues caused by this disease which
also shorten life expectancy. Mental health can also be
affected, with many children being afflicted with issues
related to their self-image as well as depression in some
cases. This will cause major economic and social
consequences and actions must be taken to prevent this
problem from continuing.
Sources
1. Public Health Agency of Canada. Curbing Childhood Obesity; A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action to Promote
Healthy Weights, 2012

2. Public Health Agency of Canada. “Curbing Childhood Obesity: A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action to Promote
Healthy Weights.”

3. Public Health Agency of Canada. “Childhood Obesity.” Canada.ca, 12 Sept. 2016,

www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/childhood-obesity/childhood-obesity.html.

4. Louden, Kathleen. "Morbid obesity carries a large economic health care burden." OB GYN News, 1 June 2005, p. 50. Academic OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A148859961/AONE?u=otta35732&sid=AONE&xid=77f753fc. Accessed 26 May 2018.

5. Childhood obesity: trends and potential causes.Anderson PM, Butcher KE Future Child. 2006 Spring; 16(1):19-45.

6. Individual and environmental influences on adolescent eating behaviors. Story M, Neumark-Sztainer D, French S J Am Diet Assoc.
2002 Mar; 102(3 Suppl):S40-51.

7. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. 2011. Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Ottawa, ON, www.csep.ca/guidelines. (accessed
October 10, 2014)
Sources
8. Statistics Canada. “Directly Measured Physical Activity of Adults, 2012 and 2013.” Average Counts of Offenders in Federal Programs,
Canada and Regions, Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 27 Nov. 2015,
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-625-x/2015001/article/14135-eng.htm.

9. Statistics Canada. “Directly Measured Physical Activity of Children and Youth, 2012 and 2013.” Average Counts of Offenders in
Federal Programs, Canada and Regions, Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 31 Oct. 2017,
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-625-x/2015001/article/14136-eng.htm.