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Obesity Prevention and Management Strategies in Canada: Shifting Paradigms and Putting People First

  • Obesity Prevention (A Must, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this study was to review public and private sector obesity policies in Canada and to make recommendations for future evidence-based obesity prevention and management strategies.

Recent Findings

Synthesis of obesity prevention and management policies and research studies are presented in three primary themes: (1) Increased awareness about the impact of weight bias and obesity stigma in Canada; (2) Inadequate government obesity prevention and management policies and strategies; and (3) Lack of comprehensive private sector obesity prevention and management policies.

Summary

Findings suggest that in Canada, obesity continues to be treated as a self-inflicted risk factor, which affects the type of interventions and approaches that are implemented by governments or covered by private health plans. The lack of recognition of obesity as a chronic disease by Canadian public and private payers, health systems, employers, and the public, has a trickle-down effect on access to evidence-based prevention and treatment. Although there is increasing recognition and awareness about the impact of weight bias and obesity stigma on the health and social well-being of Canadians, interventions are urgently needed in education, healthcare, and public policy sectors. We conclude by making recommendations for the advancement of evidence-based obesity prevention and management policies that can improve the lives of Canadians affected by obesity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Alberta, Li Ka Shing Building, Rm 1-116, 87th Avenue and 112th Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada

    Arya M. Sharma

  2. Canadian Obesity Network, University of Alberta, Li Ka Shing Building, Rm 2-126, 87th Avenue and 112th Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada

    Ximena Ramos Salas

Authors
  1. Arya M. Sharma
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ximena Ramos Salas.

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Conflict of Interest

Arya M. Sharma has received compensation from Novo Nordisk and Valeant for service on advisory boards, and has received compensation from Novo Nordisk and Merck for service on speakers’ bureaus, as well as travel reimbursement from both.

Ximena Ramos Salas declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Obesity Prevention

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Sharma, A.M., Ramos Salas, X. Obesity Prevention and Management Strategies in Canada: Shifting Paradigms and Putting People First. Curr Obes Rep 7, 89–96 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-018-0309-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-018-0309-8

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