A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reveals that obesity rates in Canada increased faster in the four years following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the prior 11 years. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 750,000 adults, found that women and younger adults were particularly affected, with rates rising from 25% in 2009 to 33% in 2023. Experts like Kate Laird, a gym owner, and Laura Anderson, a McMaster University professor and study author, highlight the pandemic's adverse effects on health behaviors, mental health, and increased caregiving burdens, especially for mothers.
Obesity rates increased after start of COVID-19 pandemic, new study shows
Canada
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reveals that obesity rates in Canada increased faster in the four years following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the prior 11 years. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 750,000 adults, found that women and younger adults were particularly affected, with rates rising from 25% in 2009 to 33% in 2023. Experts like Kate Laird, a gym owner, and Laura Anderson, a McMaster University professor and study author, highlight the pandemic's adverse effects on health behaviors, mental health, and increased caregiving burdens, especially for mothers.
Trending- 1 2009: Obesity rate in Canada was 25%
- 2 2020: COVID-19 pandemic began
- 3 2023: Obesity rate in Canada increased to 33%
- 4 Monday (publication date): Study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal
- Increased obesity rates in Canada
- Faster increase in obesity among women and younger adults
- Adverse effects on public health
- Increased stress and mental health challenges
- Intensified caregiving responsibilities for mothers
- Call to action for policymakers to invest in public-health infrastructure
What: Obesity rates in Canada increased significantly faster after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among women and younger adults, as revealed by a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The study found a rise from 25% in 2009 to 33% in 2023, with an increase of over one percentage point per year post-pandemic, double the pre-COVID rate.
When: The study looked at trends over 15 years, from 2009 to 2023. The accelerated increase in obesity rates occurred in the four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020. The research was published on Monday.
Where: The study focused on Canada. Kate Laird's gym is based in Ottawa. Laura Anderson is an associate professor at McMaster University in Hamilton.
Why: The increase is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public-health restrictions, which adversely affected obesity prevalence. Contributing factors include changes in lifestyles, increased sedentary activities, changes in food, worsened mental health, and intensified caregiving responsibilities, especially for women and mothers who bore the brunt of supporting children with online learning or being isolated with toddlers.
How: The study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, defined obesity through body-mass index (BMI) and analyzed data from nearly 750,000 adults aged 18 and older. It quantified the magnitude of the issue, showing a faster rate of increase post-pandemic. Experts like Kate Laird observe the real-world impact on clients, while Laura Anderson calls for policymakers to invest in public-health infrastructure and policies supporting healthy communities.