How common is obesity?
Most health professionals say that obesity is becoming an epidemic. In Canada, the rate of obesity in both the adult and adolescent population has increased in recent years. Currently, about 23% of adults and 8% of children younger than 17 years are considered obese.1 Obesity in Canada's adult population has doubled since 1985.2
Certain groups are affected more than others. In Canada, Aboriginal peoples have an increased risk of obesity and associated health problems.2 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that in the United States:3
- Among women, overweight and obesity are more prevalent in racial and ethnic minorities than in non-Hispanic white women.
- Among men, overweight and obesity are more prevalent in Mexican Americans than in non-Hispanic whites or blacks.
- More non-Hispanic black women are overweight or obese than non-Hispanic black men.
- More non-Hispanic white men are overweight or obese than non-Hispanic white women.
- Women of lower socio-economic status are approximately 50% more likely to be obese than those of higher socio-economic status.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: July 27, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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