Body weight

Studies on the economic burden of obesity and overweight carried out in Canada and other industrialized…

Over the past 40 years, industrialized countries have undergone social and economic changes that have increased the risk of developing chronic diseases within the population. The increasingly sedentary nature of work, a decrease in physical activity due to reliance on automobiles and to urban sprawl and more sedentary recreational activities have all contributed to an ongoing reduction in levels of physical activity.

To this can be added the major changes the food…

This study provides, for the first time, a profile of the health burden linked to different categories of body weight (underweight, overweight and obesity) among adults 18 years of age or over for the province of Québec. Based on different indicators of physical and mental health drawn from survey data, it describes the proportion and number of men and women who report suffering from specific health problems according to their weight category. The study also identifies the degree to…

Obesity and overweight are risk factors linked to the appearance of a number of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, obesity also has an economic impact. Indeed, studies that have quantified the economic burden of obesity in Canada and abroad observe that the problem engenders significant costs for society. Such costs are not confined to those stemming from broader recourse to health services. Costs related to absenteeism, disability and other productivity…

In early adolescence, young people adopt lifestyle habits that could play a determining role in their future health. At this early age, they begin to develop their independence, while continuing to be influenced by their sociocultural environment. Sociocultural factors have an impact on eating habits and physical activity, and this is even more true in adolescence when youth are in the process of learning and experimenting.

The results of the Ados 12-14 study (see box, page 3) show…

As part of an initiative to evaluate the health status of Québec anglophones, their lifestyle habits and certain health indicators were examined by area of residence and compared with those of francophones. The data was taken from the 2003, 2007−2008 and 2009−2010 cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), with particular emphasis on the most recent data.

The results show few statistically significant differences in lifestyle habits and health indicators between…

Reducing the prevalence of excess weight in the population in the short-term is one of Québec's public health objectives. The first part of this report provides a portrait of the current weight status situation based on the most recent data, and the second part presents weight trends since 1987.

The data collected in 2009–2010 revealed a prevalence of excess weight estimated at 50.5% for adults aged 18 and over. More specifically, 34.1% were overweight and 16.4% were obese. Between…

The prevalence of obesity has been growing steadily for a number of years. Obesity is usually associated with two major factors: increased calorie intake and reduced level of physical activity among the population. However, other variables may contribute to weight problems, including a lack of sleep. This issue of Topo will examine recent research results on the relationship between sleep and weight status, and potential links between the environment, sleep, and obesity. Sleep is a lifestyle…

Obesity's increasing prevalence is of concern because of its impacts on the population health and its associated costs. To promote healthy public policies, this scientific advisory documents the influence of economy-based agri-food policies that can affect the population's diet and weight. To this end, the following economic measures are reviewed: agricultural subsidies, trade policies, agricultural research and development programs, agricultural promotion programs, agricultural initiatives…

The built environment has an influence on lifestyle and body weight

Physical activity is promoted through:

Healthy eating is promoted through: