Canadians Becoming Fatter, Less Fit
Posted January 13, 2010 9:45 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The first comprehensive study of fitness and obesity levels in Canada in 20 years shows that Canadians at all age groups are becoming fatter and less fit.
The lead researcher for the project, Dr. Mark Tremblay, says the findings confirm the worst fears of those involved in the field.
The study, conducted by Statistics Canada, found nearly two-thirds of adults were overweight or obese and a quarter of kids fell into those categories.
Where some had argued that the increasing size and weight of Canadians meant they were becoming more muscular, the study shows that isn’t the case.
Tremblay says the Canadian Health Measures Survey reveals the decline in overall fitness has taken place across all age groups, though it is most marked in children and young adults.
The survey suggests the proportion of Canadians with dangerously large waists went to 21 per cent from five per cent among men, and to 31 per cent from six per cent among women.
The new study found that among youth aged 15 to 19, the percentage whose waist circumference put them at an increased or high risk of health problems more than tripled.
Most recent attempts to track Canadian fitness have used self-reported data, which has been shown to be unreliable when it comes to issues like weight, calorie intake and the amount of physical activity undertaken.
Here researchers actually gathered the data, measuring things like height, weight and waist circumference and conducting strength and flexibility tests.
The study also measured key health indicators like blood pressure and collected blood and urine samples that will provide additional information on things like Canadians’ exposure to toxins.
The findings are based on measurements taken from 5,000 Canadians aged six to 70 and were collected at 15 survey sites across the country from March 2007 to February 2009.
