A new report from the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that more than one in three Canadians met the criteria for obesity in 2023, a significant rise from 26 per cent in 2009.
Dr. Alex Summers, medical officer of health for the Middlesex-London Health Unit, says the increase is part of a long-term trend, but was likely worsened by the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The rise in obesity through the COVID-19 pandemic is consistent with an ongoing rise we’ve seen over decades,” Summers said in an interview. “But the pandemic introduced unique challenges from reduced activity to greater stress that may have intensified it.”
Summers said public health measures aimed at curbing virus transmission, such as lockdowns and physical distancing, also disrupted daily routines. Many people shifted to remote work and avoided public spaces, which meant fewer opportunities for movement and exercise.
“We were encouraged to stay closer to home and not engage in the world the way we normally would,” he said. “Combine that with increased stress — about work, family, your own health and it absolutely impacts overall well-being, including body weight.”
The study also found that younger women were more significantly affected, something researchers linked to increased stress and caregiving demands. Summers said that while it’s hard to draw firm conclusions, societal expectations likely played a role.
“The burden of caregiving still disproportionately falls on women,” he said. “That additional pressure during an already difficult time may have contributed to the trend.”
While limited access to primary care may have impacted some people’s ability to manage their health, Summers said broader social and economic factors are the larger drivers of obesity.
“Where you live, your job, what kind of food you have access to, these are the root factors,” he said. “Primary care helps manage the consequences of obesity, but prevention has to happen outside the clinic.”
Long-term health effects of obesity can include heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline, Summers said. But he also emphasized that health looks different for everyone.
“All bodies can be healthy bodies,” he said. “But when someone’s level of adipose tissue exceeds what’s healthy for their body, the risk of chronic disease increases.”
Summers said effective prevention needs to go beyond personal responsibility. Solutions include building more walkable communities, improving access to nutritious food, reducing income disparities, and providing education around food and physical activity.
“It’s not just about telling people to exercise more,” he said. “We need to reshape our communities and systems to make healthier choices easier.”
