Obesity in Canada: A Whole-of-Society Approach for a Healthier Canada was released by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology in March, 2016.
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Aboriginal population
From the news release:
Urgent Action Needed to Fight Rising Obesity Rates in Canada
There is an obesity crisis in this country. Canadians are paying for it with their wallets — and with their lives.
But there is hope.
An extensive study conducted by the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology charts a course to a leaner, healthier future.
Over the course of nearly two dozen meetings, the committee heard expert testimony from a range of Canadian and international stakeholders including individuals representing health and exercise professions, diet and health research sectors, food and beverage industries, Aboriginal groups, health charities, as well as the federal government.
The committee’s findings show the vast scope of this epidemic:
- Each year 48,000 to 66,000 Canadians die from conditions linked to excess weight;
- Nearly two thirds of adults and one third of children are obese or overweight; and
- Obesity costs Canada between $4.6 billion and $7.1 billion annually in health care and lost productivity.
This report describes an innovative, whole-of-society approach to address this important issue — and urges bold but practical steps that can and must be taken to help Canadians achieve and maintain healthy weights.