Childhood Obesity in Canada
Childhood obesity rates are a growing concern for the health and wellness of current and future generations of Canadians. Policies and programs are regionally designed to address the societal and cultural needs of each province.
Below you will find access to statistics, policies, and strategic development programs.
Alberta Health Services public health campaign and resource centre for combatting childhood obesity and empowering families.
Alberta Health Services (2023). Obesity: Primary Health Care Resource Centre. Obesity Canada and Alberta Health Services. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page7468.aspx
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News article from CBC depicting the areas in Canada with the highest rate of overweight and obese children, through a societal impact lens.
CBC News (2019). Expert weighs in as N.L. tops country for most overweight kids. Expert weighs in as N.L. tops country for most overweight kids | CBC News
Societal review of the generational increase in childhood obesity factors in Canada including exercise, diet, and lifestyle.
CTV News (2023). Canada’s Obesity Rate has doubled since the 1970’s. What Happened? https://globalnews.ca/news/4456664/obesity-in-canada/
Quick glance informational fact sheet distributed by AHS on statistics and screening tools to monitor childhood overweight and obesity trends
Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Strategic Clinic Network (2017). A Look at Childhood Obesity. Alberta Health Services. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/about/scn/ahs-scn-don-childhood-obesity-facts.pdf
Graphical depictions of childhood obesity data analyses, 2021
Elflein, J. (2022). Share of Canadian adolescents who were overweight or obese in 2021, by province. Statista. Adolescents overweight and obesity by province Canada 2021 | Statista. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1317349/overweight-obesity-among-canadian-adolescents-by-province/
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Publicly funded governmental and regional resources page to support families and children trying to prevent and mitigate childhood obesity
Government of Canada (2015). Being Active. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/being-active.html
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Infographical analysis on obesity disparities by population and determinant of health factors.
Government of Canada (2023). Childhood Obesity.Public Health Agency of Canada. ISBN: 978-0-660-29294-4. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/science-research-data/inequalities-obesity-infographic.html
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Governmentally sponsored and supported programs and initiatives to tackle Newfoundland and Labrador childhood obesity rates and reinforce healthy lifestyle changes.
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Health and Community Services. Programs and Initiatives. Programs and Initiatives - Health and Community Services . Retrieved from gov.nl.ca
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Newfoundland and Labrador have some of the highest rates of childhood obesity in Canada, which the government is taking seriously with public health awareness campaigns and data reviews.
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Finance: Population stood at 538,605 as of July 1, 2023. https://www.gov.nl.ca/fin/economics/eb-population/
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Correlative findings between parental health habits and engagement in childhood activity levels, and the risk of developing childhood obesity.
Nowicka, P., Ek, A., Grafström, E., Johansson, T., Nordin, K., Neuman, N., Reijs Richards, H., & Eli, K. (2022). How Do Interpersonal Relationships Affect Children’s Weight Management? A Qualitative Analysis of Parents’ Long-Term Perceptions after Obesity Treatment. Childhood Obesity, 18(4), 274–280. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2021.0156
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Youtube resource explaining the impact of SEM on childhood obesity.
MCH Training Program - UTHealth School of Public Health. (2017, February 7). Intro to the ecological model [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NNw0GSUR-c
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A review on the role of parental activity levels and community activity programs on the rates of childhood obesity.
Ramos Dantas, R. R., & Pontes da Silva, G. A. (2019). The Role of the Obesogenic Environment and Parental Lifestyles in Infant Feeding Behavior. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 37(3), 363–371. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-0462/;2019;37;3;00005
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An analytical review on the impact of subsidised nutritional requirements through hunting.
Research Resolutions & Consulting Ltd. Ontario (2014). North American Hunters in Northern Ontario (RT013): A Situation Analysis. Tourism Northern Ontario. https://destinationnorthernontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/RTO13-Hunting-Report-Final-Feb-2010.pdf
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Extensive and approachable resource on the history, risk factors, trends, and resources affecting the rise in childhood obesity rates among Canadian children.
Shields, M. (2008). Measured Obesity: Overweight Canadian Children and Adolescents. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/82-620-m/2005001/pdf/4193660-eng.pdf?st=4PD4Tz77
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Approachable, thorough resource from UNICEF on how the Socioecological model can be used to understand trends in childhood obesity.
UNICEF. Brief on the Social Ecological Model. Global Multisectorial Operational Framework. https://www.unicef.org/media/135011/file/Global%20multisectoral%20operational%20framework.pdf