Canada
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *7.5/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *7.5/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-79 |
| Sample size: | 5797 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adults and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-79 |
| Sample size: | 5786 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2017. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037301&pickMembers%5B0%5D=3.3. [Accessed 21 February 2019]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adult and children |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-79 |
| Sample size: | 5794 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adult and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-79 |
| Sample size: | ~5700 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adults and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-79 |
| Sample size: | ~5700 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2011. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adults and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-79 |
| Sample size: | ~5000 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adults and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2007-2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20-69 |
| Sample size: | 3072 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Shields M, Tremblay MS, Laviolette M, Craig C, Janssen I and Connor Gorber S. Fitness of Canadian adults: Results from the 2007-2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 82-003-XPE Health Reports, Vol. 21, no. 1, March 2010 |
| Notes: | IASO age standardised data to World Standard Population |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 23985 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Tjepkema M. (2006). Adult obesity. Health Report, 17(3), 9 - 25. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1992
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20-69 |
| Sample size: | Not specified |
| References: | Belanger-Ducharme F, Tremblay A. Prevalence of obesity in Canada. Obesity Reviews 2005;6:183-186 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1986-1992
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-74 |
| Sample size: | 19841 |
| References: | Macdonald SM, Reeder BA, Chen Y, Despres JP. Obesity in Canada: a descriptive analysis. Can Med Assoc. 1997;157(Suppl 1):S3-S9 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1970
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20-69 |
| Sample size: | Not specified |
| References: | Belanger-Ducharme F, Tremblay A. Prevalence of obesity in Canada. Obesity Reviews 2005;6:183-186 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2019
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 5797 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adults and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 5786 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2017. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037301&pickMembers%5B0%5D=3.3. [Accessed 6 March 2019]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adult and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 5794 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adult and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | ~5700 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adults and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2012-2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 3-19 |
| Sample size: | 2460 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Rodd, C. and Sharma, A.K. (2016) 'Recent trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Canadian children', CMAJ, 188(13): E313-E320. Available at: http://www.cmaj.ca/content/188/13/E313 |
| Notes: | Overweight and obesity defined by WHO criteria |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | ~5700 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2011. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adults and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-17 |
| Sample size: | ~5000 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Notes: | Sample size includes adults and children |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2009-2011
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 2123 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Roberts KC, Shields M, de Groh M et al. Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents: Results from the 2009-2011 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Statistics Canada 2012 (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2012003/article/11706-eng.pdf (last accessed 18th June 2015) |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-17 |
| Sample size: | 6184 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Shields M. 2006. Overweight and obesity among children and youth. Health Reports 17(3), 28 - 44. |
| Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
% Adults living with obesity, 1970-2019
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1970, 1992: Belanger-Ducharme F, Tremblay A. Prevalence of obesity in Canada. Obesity Reviews 2005;6:183-186 1986: Macdonald SM, Reeder BA, Chen Y, Despres JP. Obesity in Canada: a descriptive analysis. Can Med Assoc. 1997;157(Suppl 1):S3-S9 2009: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2011: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2011. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2013: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2015: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2017: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2017. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037301&pickMembers%5B0%5D=3.3. [Accessed 21 February 2019]. 2019: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1970, 1992: Belanger-Ducharme F, Tremblay A. Prevalence of obesity in Canada. Obesity Reviews 2005;6:183-186 1986: Macdonald SM, Reeder BA, Chen Y, Despres JP. Obesity in Canada: a descriptive analysis. Can Med Assoc. 1997;157(Suppl 1):S3-S9 2009: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2011: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2011. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2013: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2015: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2017: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2017. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037301&pickMembers%5B0%5D=3.3. [Accessed 21 February 2019]. 2019: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Men and women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1970, 1992: Belanger-Ducharme F, Tremblay A. Prevalence of obesity in Canada. Obesity Reviews 2005;6:183-186 1986: Macdonald SM, Reeder BA, Chen Y, Despres JP. Obesity in Canada: a descriptive analysis. Can Med Assoc. 1997;157(Suppl 1):S3-S9 2009: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2011: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2011. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2013: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2015: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2017: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2017. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037301&pickMembers%5B0%5D=3.3. [Accessed 21 February 2019]. 2019: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity, 1970-2019
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1970, 1992: Belanger-Ducharme F, Tremblay A. Prevalence of obesity in Canada. Obesity Reviews 2005;6:183-186 1986: Macdonald SM, Reeder BA, Chen Y, Despres JP. Obesity in Canada: a descriptive analysis. Can Med Assoc. 1997;157(Suppl 1):S3-S9 2009: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2011: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2011. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2013: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2015: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2017: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2017. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037301&pickMembers%5B0%5D=3.3. [Accessed 21 February 2019]. 2019: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1970, 1992: Belanger-Ducharme F, Tremblay A. Prevalence of obesity in Canada. Obesity Reviews 2005;6:183-186 1986: Macdonald SM, Reeder BA, Chen Y, Despres JP. Obesity in Canada: a descriptive analysis. Can Med Assoc. 1997;157(Suppl 1):S3-S9 2009: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2011: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2011. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2013: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2015: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2017: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2017. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037301&pickMembers%5B0%5D=3.3. [Accessed 21 February 2019]. 2019: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Men and women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1970, 1992: Belanger-Ducharme F, Tremblay A. Prevalence of obesity in Canada. Obesity Reviews 2005;6:183-186 1986: Macdonald SM, Reeder BA, Chen Y, Despres JP. Obesity in Canada: a descriptive analysis. Can Med Assoc. 1997;157(Suppl 1):S3-S9 2009: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2011: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2011. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2013: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2013. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2015: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. 2017: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2017. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037301&pickMembers%5B0%5D=3.3. [Accessed 21 February 2019]. 2019: Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310037301-eng [Accessed 25 May 2023]. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
