Frequently asked questions about obesity

In 2015, the Canadian Medical Association declared obesity to be a chronic medical disease. Many organizations — including Obesity Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization — have since also declared obesity to be a chronic disease.¹

In Canada, obesity and its related illnesses result in a large cost to society due to increases in direct (i.e., physician, hospital, emergency room use) and indirect costs (i.e., lost productivity, absenteeism, disability), estimated to be $7.1 billion in 2010.²

As a leading cause of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer and other important health problems, obesity can have serious impacts on those who live with it. It is estimated that one in 10 premature deaths among Canadian adults age 20 to 64 is directly attributable to obesity.²

Many people with obesity also struggle with mental health. Stigma and discrimination in many areas of your life can lead you to using food as a coping mechanism, which can increase your weight.

Studies have found that you’re more likely to be depressed if you have obesity. People with depression are more likely to become obese³.

People with obesity are at higher risk of developing several health conditions, including some types of cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea⁴.

These conditions can reduce your enjoyment of life and, even sometimes, lead to death.

A doctor will usually check your weight and height and then determine your Body Mass Index (BMI). It’s a very general measure that helps put you into a weight category: underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. ^{5 6 7}