Category Page: Obesity Prevention

Obesity or excessive fat is commonly measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI). An adult over 18 years of age who has a BMI equal to or greater than 30 is classified as obese. However, the BMI scale is a simple guide and other factors, such as muscularity and body type, must be considered before diagnosing obesity. It is known that maintaining a healthy weight plays an important role in promoting overall health and wellbeing as well as reducing the risk factors for chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, there are many factors which influence obesity, such as physical activity, diet, socioeconomic status, mental health, ethnicity, immigration, and one’s environment. Because of the complexity of the issue, effectively preventing obesity may require a multifaceted, long-term approach involving complementary interventions that operate at multiple levels.

For more information, see Obesity in Canada: A joint report from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2011