Obesity Epidemic

Overweight vs. Obese

• Determined by your body mass index (BMI):– Overweight if 25 ≤ BMI ≤ 29.9– Obese if BMI ≥ 30

Accuracy of BMI

• Shaquille O’Neal

• Tom Brady

• BMI Calculator

The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic

• More than 1 billion adults are overweight.– 300 million are clinically obese.

• 22 million children (less than 5 years) are overweight.

http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/

The Worldwide Obesity Epidemic

http://www.ac-nancy-metz.fr/enseign/anglais/Henry/sante.htm

The Rise in Canadian Obesity

http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/166/8/1039/F119

Obesity in Canada (2004)

• Population size: 31,900,00– 6.8 million adults (ages 20 – 64) overweight.– 4.5 million adults (ages 20 – 64) obese.

Obesity in Canadian Children

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/surveill/atlas/map-carte/mass_c-e_over_obes_norm-sans_exces_mf-hf-eng.php

Obesity in Canadian Adults

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/surveill/atlas/map-carte/mass_adult_over_obes_mf-hf-eng.php

What is Causing the Obesity Epidemic???

Causes of Obesity

• Industrial & agricultural revolution.• Technological advances.

– In 1971, 80% of children walked to school.– In 1999, only 41% of children walked to school

• Increased trade between countries.• Reduction of compulsory phys-ed classes.• Career – travel time & stress.• Era of fast food.

Weight Problems in Québec:  Getting Mobilized, Groupe de travail provincial sur la problématique du poids, October 2004.

Health Risks Associated With Being Overweight or

Obese

Some Health Risks

• High blood pressure• Heart disease• Type 2 diabetes• Stroke• Gallbladder disease• Sleep apnea & other breathing problems • Colon cancer

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/life-vie/obes-eng.php

Economic Implications

• Based on 2006 Canadian study:– $6.0 billion (direct & indirect costs).

Anis et al, 2009, Obesity and Overweight in Canada: An updated cost of illness study, Obesity Reviews

Battling the Obesity Epidemic