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Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada : Research, Policy and Practice logoLink to Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada : Research, Policy and Practice
. 2016 Sep;36(9):194–198. doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.36.9.03

Childhood overweight and obesity trends in Canada

D P Rao (1), E Kropac (1), M T Do (1), K C Roberts (1), G C Jayaraman (1)
PMCID: PMC5129778  PMID: 27670922

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.

Keywords: overweight, obesity, children, youth, sociodemographic factors

Highlights

  • The surveillance of overweight and obesity trends in children and youth is important in informing research, programs and policies.

  • The authors analyzed information from several national population-based surveys, including those with objectively measured data, to provide an update on excess weight in childhood in Canada.

  • Almost 1 in 7 children and youth is obese.

  • Rates of overweight and obesity vary based on factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic status and place of residence.

Introduction

Since obesity is a major risk factor for chronic disease,1 it takes a significant toll on the health care system, the economy and the quality of life of Canadians.2 Over the last four decades, the prevalence of obesity among children and youth in Canada has increased significantly.3 As a result, they are increasingly diagnosed with a range of obesity-related health conditions previously seen almost exclusively among adults, including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea and joint problems.1 The added concern is that childhood obesity is known to track into adulthood.2

We previously reported on trends and projections in obesity among Canadians overall.4 Regular reporting on childhood obesity as part of the Chronic Disease and Injury Indicator Framework5 (CDIIF) provides basic breakdowns of the prevalence of obesity among children and youth by age, sex and sociodemographic factors. In this article, we build on this reporting by providing additional breakdowns using the variables already contained within the CDIIF, which are important to guide research, programs and policy in Canada. Updated trends in childhood overweight (in addition to obesity), trends in both overweight and obesity according to age and sex, an examination of sex differences in the distribution of overweight and obesity by income adequacy (a key sociodemographic factor) and an examination of the distribution of obesity by place of residence elaborate and supplement the surveillance information contained within the CDIIF.

Methods

Database and sample

Body mass index (BMI) is an indirect measure of adiposity (body fat) that correlates with health outcomes, both in the short and the long term.6 The Public Health Agency of Canada bases its weight charts on World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference charts: children whose BMI is two standard deviations (SDs) or more above the mean are considered obese and whose BMI is between one and two SDs above the mean are considered overweight.7

The statistics in this paper are based on the results from national population-based surveys. Self-reported measures of height and weight in children have been consistently available for many years, and since 2007, the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) has routinely collected objectively measured anthropometric data. We used the Canada Health Survey (1978/79) to gather objectively measured BMI data for children aged 2 to 17 years; annual cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2004 to 2014) for self-reported BMI data for children and youth aged 12 to 17 years and objectively measured BMI data for children aged 6 to 17 years for 2004; and the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007/09, 2009/11 and 2012/13) for objectively measured BMI data for children and youth aged 5 to 17 years.

Analyses

We examined trends and current estimates in childhood obesity using the WHO classification system. To reduce misclassification and bias (based on sex) in self-reported estimates, these data were adjusted using a correction factor that was established based on comparisons of self-reported and objective measures of weight status.8 Descriptive analyses were completed using SAS Enterprise Guide version 5.1 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Relationships between variables were examined using chi-square tests, with significance at 0.05, to determine p values. Findings were weighted to reflect the Canadian household population and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using bootstrap re-sampling methods. Trends over 10 years are reported, where possible.

Results

Trends

In 1978/79, about one in four children (23.3%; 95% CI: 20.5–26.0) was overweight or obese.9 This proportion is now closer to one in three (31.4%; 95% CI: 26.4–36.4).

Although objectively measured estimates of excess weight among children and youth have doubled over the past four decades, measures of childhood obesity have remained stable over the last 10 years (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1. Prevalence of overweight and obesity, ages 6 to 17 years, Canada, 2004–2012/13.

FIGURE 1

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Sex

Differences in excess weight may arise due to biological reasons, such as sex-based patterning of fat distribution and energy requirements, or societal and cultural gender-based norms, such as food choices and body satisfaction.10 Examining objectively measured excess weight over time and comparing these weights between the sexes at each time point does not show any significant difference (Table 1). However, when examining self-reported estimates, the prevalence of obesity among boys is significantly higher than that among girls (Figure 2), and rates of overweight appear to have remained stable.

Table 1. Sociodemographic determinants of childhood obesity, ages 6 to 17 years, Canada, 2004–2012/13.

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FIGURE 2. Prevalence of overweight and obesity by sex, ages 12 to 17 years, Canada, 2004–2014.

FIGURE 2

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Age

As individuals age, changes in activity patterns, hormone levels and muscle mass may all contribute to changes in weight status. In Canada, obesity appears to significantly increase through childhood and adolescence. Based on estimates from 2012/13, 8.5% (95% CI: 6.2–10.9) of 5- to 9- year-olds, 12.9% (95% CI: 7.2–18.6) of 10- to 14-year-olds and 18.2% (95% CI: 12.5–24.0) of 15- to 17-year-olds are obese. In comparison, the 2012/13 rates of overweight are 15.4% (95% CI: 11.5– 19.3), 23.0% (95% CI: 16.4–29.6) and 17.1% (95% CI: 12.5–21.7) for the same age ranges, with age-based differences in excess weight not as apparent for overweight as for obesity. Trends in excess weight over the past decade do not differ significantly between age groups (Table 1).

Socioeconomic status

Low-income population groups are known to be at increased risk of obesity.11 Income adequacy level* was found to be significantly associated (p = .02) with childhood obesity, while having healthier weights was more likely for those with better access to income. Figure 3 shows the prevalence estimates of excess weight by income adequacy level for both sexes and for each sex.

FIGURE 3. Prevalence estimates of excess weight by income adequacy level, ages 5 to 17 years, Canada, 2012/13.

FIGURE 3

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Place of residence

While the national average prevalence of excess weight in children and youth is 28.9% (95% CI: 27.4–30.4, CCHS 2013-14), regional differences are observed (Figure 4). International comparisons also demonstrate similar rates: the prevalence of obesity among children is 13.1% (95% CI: 10.2–16.1) in Canada (6–17 years), 16.9% (95% CI: 14.9–19.2) in the United States (2–19 years, using CDC growth charts)12 and 20% in the United Kingdom (2–15 years).13

FIGURE 4. Prevalence of overweight and obesity by local health region.

FIGURE 4

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Conclusion

The stable trends in childhood obesity over the past decade are encouraging. Nevertheless, excess weight remains prevalent. Ongoing monitoring of childhood obesity will provide useful information to assist with sustained actions to promote healthy weights.

Footnotes

*

Household income adequacy is a measure of income that takes into consideration the number of individuals within a household who share the total income, allowing a fair comparison between families, regardless of size

References

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