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. 2016 Sep;36(9):194-8.
doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.36.9.03.

Childhood overweight and obesity trends in Canada

[Article in English, French]
Affiliations

Childhood overweight and obesity trends in Canada

[Article in English, French]
D P Rao et al. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: Excess weight is a key risk factor for chronic disease, and the systematic collection, analysis and reporting of key trends are important to surveillance of overweight and obesity.

Methods: We used univariate analyses to calculate current prevalence estimates of excess weight among Canadian children and youth.

Results: Almost 1 in 7 children and youth is obese. Rates vary based on sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic status and place of residence. Overall, the rates of excess weight have been relatively stable over the past decade.

Conclusion: Ongoing monitoring of childhood obesity will provide useful information to assist with sustained actions to promote healthy weights.

Introduction: L’excès de poids est un facteur de risque important de maladies chroniques. La collecte, l’analyse et la diffusion systématiques des tendances clés dans ce domaine sont importantes pour la surveillance de l’embonpoint et de l’obésité.

Méthodologie: Nous avons utilisé des analyses univariées pour calculer des estimations de la prévalence actuelle de l’excès de poids chez les enfants et les jeunes canadiens.

Résultats: Près d’un enfant ou jeune sur sept est obèse. Les taux varient en fonction de facteurs sociodémographiques comme l’âge, le sexe, le statut socioéconomique et le lieu de résidence. Dans l’ensemble, les taux d’excès de poids sont demeurés relativement stables depuis dix ans.

Conclusion: Faire le suivi de l’obésité juvénile fournit des renseignements utiles à la prise de mesures à long terme pour la promotion d’un poids santé.

Keywords: children; obesity; overweight; sociodemographic factors; youth.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1. Prevalence of overweight and obesity, ages 6 to 17 years, Canada, 2004–2012/13
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2. Prevalence of overweight and obesity by sex, ages 12 to 17 years, Canada, 2004–2014
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3. Prevalence estimates of excess weight by income adequacy level, ages 5 to 17 years, Canada, 2012/13
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4. Prevalence of overweight and obesity by local health region

References

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