Report on Rising Obesity Prevalence in Canada and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal indicates a significant increase in obesity rates across Canada, with a notable acceleration during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2023, approximately one-third of the Canadian population is classified as obese. This trend presents a substantial challenge to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Key Findings on Obesity Trends (2009-2023)

Analysis of self-reported Body Mass Index (BMI) data from 746,250 Canadians aged 18 and older reveals a consistent and accelerating rise in obesity.

• Overall Prevalence: In 2023, 32.7% of Canadians (10.6 million people) were living with obesity, an increase of eight percentage points from 2009.
• Pandemic Acceleration: The annual rate of increase in obesity doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising by approximately one percentage point per year compared to 0.5 percentage points per year pre-pandemic.
• Severe Obesity: The prevalence of severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40) more than doubled, increasing from 2.4% in 2009 to nearly 5% in 2023.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

The rising obesity rates directly threaten progress towards SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The increase in obesity, particularly severe obesity, is linked to a higher risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a key target area for SDG 3.

Health Complications and NCDs

Obesity is a critical risk factor for numerous serious health conditions. The study highlights the following concerns:

1. Increased Risk of Chronic Disease: Higher obesity rates are expected to lead to a greater incidence of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer.
2. Co-morbidity Data: While half of the individuals with obesity reported no chronic health conditions, between 5% and 10% reported living with three to six long-term health problems.
3. Mental Health Factors: Experts suggest that mental health challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, including isolation and depression, may have contributed to weight gain, further complicating the well-being targets of SDG 3.

Disproportionate Impacts and Alignment with SDG 5 and SDG 10

The study reveals that the burden of rising obesity is not evenly distributed across the population, highlighting challenges related to gender equality and other inequalities.

Gender Disparities and SDG 5: Gender Equality

The research found a significant increase in severe obesity among women. This finding aligns with concerns under SDG 5, as it suggests women may have borne a disproportionate burden during the pandemic, potentially due to increased stress and caregiving responsibilities, which impacts their health and well-being.

Vulnerability of Youth and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The greatest increase in obesity over the 15-year study period was observed in young adults aged 18 to 39. This demographic’s heightened vulnerability points to an inequality that could have long-term public health consequences, undermining the objective of SDG 10 to reduce inequality within and among countries.

Contributing Factors and Future Outlook

The study points to several pandemic-related factors that influenced these trends.

• Behavioural Changes: Pandemic lockdowns led to profound changes in daily life, including altered eating behaviours, reduced access to healthy foods, and decreased physical activity due to the closure of fitness facilities.
• Methodology: The findings are based on the World Health Organization’s definition of obesity (BMI ≥ 30), with adjustments for Asian populations (BMI ≥ 27.5).
• Prognosis: Experts express concern that these increased obesity rates may not easily reverse, as weight loss is challenging to achieve and maintain once gained.

The potential impact of newly available weight-loss medications was not captured in the study’s timeframe but may influence future data.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

The article on the rising obesity rates in Canada, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary connections are to health, nutrition, and gender equality.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire piece focuses on obesity as a “medical condition” and a public health issue. It explicitly links obesity to a “higher risk of other serious health issues such as stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer,” which are non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The article also touches upon mental health, noting that “isolation and depression” during the pandemic may have contributed to weight gain.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  While often associated with undernutrition, SDG 2 aims to “end all forms of malnutrition.” Obesity is a form of malnutrition (overnutrition). The article connects the rise in obesity to “changes in our eating behaviours and access to healthy foods” during the pandemic, which directly relates to nutritional well-being.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article highlights a gender-specific impact, stating that “an increasing number of women became severely obese.” It suggests a potential reason for this disparity: “women had increased stress and burden of other caregiving duties during the pandemic.” This points to the unequal distribution of domestic and care work, a key focus of SDG 5.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health

   The article’s core theme is the rise in obesity, a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It states, “With more severe rates of obesity, we’re going to see more of the complications,” such as “Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis or heart disease.” This directly aligns with the goal of preventing NCDs. Furthermore, the mention of “isolation and depression” as contributing factors connects to the target’s aim to “promote mental health and well-being.”

2. Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition

   Obesity is a critical aspect of malnutrition. The article’s focus on the increasing prevalence of obesity among the Canadian adult population is a direct reflection of this target. The study’s findings on the “steeper increase in obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic” due to changes in eating habits underscore the challenges in addressing this form of malnutrition.

3. Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work

   The article provides evidence relevant to this target by pointing out a gendered disparity. The finding that women experienced a greater increase in severe obesity is linked to the hypothesis that they shouldered an “increased stress and burden of other caregiving duties during the pandemic.” This suggests an unequal distribution of unpaid care work, the recognition of which is the goal of Target 5.4.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Prevalence of obesity

  This is the central indicator used throughout the article. The study measures the prevalence of obesity using the Body Mass Index (BMI), defining it as a “BMI equal to or higher than 30.” The article provides precise data points: “32.7 per cent of Canadians (10.6 million people) were obese in 2023,” which is an increase from 2009. This indicator directly measures progress (or lack thereof) for Targets 3.4 and 2.2.

• Prevalence of severe obesity

  The article specifically tracks a more extreme form of the condition, which it defines as “a BMI of 40 or higher.” It reports that the rate of severe obesity increased from “about 2.4 per cent of Canadians” in 2009 to “nearly five per cent” in 2023. This is a crucial indicator for Target 3.4, as severe obesity carries a higher risk of NCDs.

• Gender-disaggregated data on obesity

  The article implies the use of this indicator by highlighting that “an increasing number of women became severely obese.” Analyzing obesity rates by gender is essential for monitoring the issues related to Target 5.4, as it helps reveal disproportionate impacts linked to social factors like caregiving burdens.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: cbc.ca