A new study reveals obesity rates in Canada surged during COVID-19, with young adults and women most affected. Experts warn of long-term health risks.
Obesity Levels Reach New High Across Canada
More than one-third of Canadian adults were classified as obese in 2023, with researchers citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a major accelerant of the ongoing trend. The findings, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, show 32.7% of Canadians—roughly 10.6 million people—now live with obesity, marking an eight-point increase since 2009.
Pandemic’s Impact on Eating Habits and Health
Lead author Laura Anderson, a professor at McMaster University, said the pandemic significantly disrupted daily life, particularly in terms of eating behaviours and access to healthy food. Lockdowns and limited mobility compounded the problem, with rates of obesity increasing twice as fast during the pandemic as they did in prior years.
Long-Term Health Implications
Obesity increases the risk of chronic illnesses including stroke, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Internal medicine specialist Dr. Sean Wharton, not affiliated with the study, suggested that isolation and depression likely contributed to the sharp rise. “Once the weight is gained, it’s difficult to lose,” he noted.
Younger Adults and Women Hit Hardest
The largest increase was seen in adults aged 18 to 39, with the number of severely obese women—defined by a BMI of 40 or more—rising significantly. Researchers suggest caregiving burdens and elevated stress may have disproportionately affected women during pandemic lockdowns.
Toronto resident Angela Martin, a nurse and mother, shared her own experience: “Looking back, I was so not fine,” she said. Between a breakup and demanding work, Martin says she gained significant weight in 2020.
Surge in Severe Obesity Raises Alarm
While general obesity rose steadily, severe obesity nearly doubled from 2.4% in 2009 to nearly 5% in 2023. Experts warn this could lead to increased cases of osteoarthritis, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Alarmingly, five to ten percent of severely obese individuals were found to have three or more chronic health conditions.
Weight-Loss Drugs May Shift the Trend
The study analyzed data up to 2023, before widespread access to new weight-loss drugs like Wegovy. While these medications may influence future trends, their impact wasn’t captured in this dataset. Researchers plan to assess this in future studies once more data becomes available.
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