BBC News - Obesity rate lower in Canada than in US, study shows

Obesity rate lower in Canada than in US, study shows

Health • March 2011 • Views: 1,330

bbc.co.uk

More than a third of Americans are obese, compared to about a quarter of Canadians, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has concluded.

Soviet Canunckistanis with their socialized healthcare aren’t as fat as their American counterparts? Cue even more reasons for wingnuts to dump on healthy eating :P

Seriously, though, I wonder why this is the case - the CDC only said the “reasons for the difference were unclear and called for further investigation.”

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5 comments

researchok Thu, Mar 3, 2011 8:05:54am

The why really is the $64,000 question. Culturally, we aren't that different.

Here, PE classes have been on the decline in schools. Is the same true in Canada?

Interesting Times Thu, Mar 3, 2011 8:12:44am

re: #1 researchok

Here, PE classes have been on the decline in schools. Is the same true in Canada?

I don't know for sure, but I do have vague recollections of hearing they have been. I first heard about this study on the radio, and that report said the differences in obesity rates for US children vs Canadian children aren't nearly as drastic as those for adults.

Re the present difference for adults, there are two factors in Canada that could be contributing to this:

1) better access to primary health care
2) we don't have a large (pun intended), culturally relevant cadre of Limbaughesque wingnuts making snide, durr hurr jokes about healthy eating.

Jadespring Thu, Mar 3, 2011 8:28:26am

re: #1 researchok

The why really is the $64,000 question. Culturally, we aren't that different.

Here, PE classes have been on the decline in schools. Is the same true in Canada?

Yes generally they are but I couldn't say what the relative comparison is. When I was in elementary school we had PE every day. Now my nephew who is in the same school has it three times a week. In my high school PE you had to take PE up until grade 11. Now I think it's only mandated until grade 9.

PE has been grouped in with other seemingly not as important subjects like art, music etc which have all seen a decline in support over the years.

There is some change or attempt to change attitudes since the growing trend in childhood obesity has been recognized. I've seen a few bring back more PE in school campaigns.
I actually just saw a nationally run commercial which is part of some sort of public service campaign talking about how kids should be getting at least an hour of physical activity each day. This campaign is based on a recent study on physical activity that was released.

Not sure who is doing this campaign but these sorts of things are not uncommon to see up here at all. I grew up with "ParticipACTION" commercials and tv spots which was a national gov't sponsered program that started in the 1970's. It was shut down in 2001 but was revived again a few years ago.

researchok Thu, Mar 3, 2011 8:33:01am

The access to health care may be a contributing factor but I can't imagine it is the primary factor (crowded ER's, fewer beds, longer waits, etc. Not a knock at all as I like the idea of universal health care)

I do wonder if health education plays a role.

There is no shortage of fast food places in Canada and certainly in Montreal and Quebec, the food is outrageously great (from smoked meat to poutine (I'd give up pizza for Montreal poutine).

Anyway. is there health education in Canada? Also, are more kids involved in organized sports on say the city or community level?

researchok Thu, Mar 3, 2011 8:36:56am

re: #3 Jadespring

Yes generally they are but I couldn't say what the relative comparison is. When I was in elementary school we had PE every day. Now my nephew who is in the same school has it three times a week. In my high school PE you had to take PE up until grade 11. Now I think it's only mandated until grade 9.

PE has been grouped in with other seemingly not as important subjects like art, music etc which have all seen a decline in support over the years.

There is some change or attempt to change attitudes since the growing trend in childhood obesity has been recognized. I've seen a few bring back more PE in school campaigns.
I actually just saw a nationally run commercial which is part of some sort of public service campaign talking about how kids should be getting at least an hour of physical activity each day. This campaign is based on a recent study on physical activity that was released.

Not sure who is doing this campaign but these sorts of things are not uncommon to see up here at all. I grew up with "ParticipACTION" commercials and tv spots which was a national gov't sponsered program that started in the 1970's. It was shut down in 2001 but was revived again a few years ago.

PE 3 times a week is pretty good compared to down here, that's for sure!

I like the participACTION program you referred to.

If kids get involved in healthy lifestyles early chances are the'll carry that on into adulthood. That might account for the wide disparity in levels of obesity referred to in the BBC article.

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