Is the overweight body the new shape of the future? Studies observing various lifestyles over the past thirty to forty years have shown a significant rise in overweight and obese persons. This noticeable rise in overweight individuals has been identified as a worldwide public health challenge and is being studied and documented to better understand the cause(s) of this epidemic. However, over the past few years, several well meaning groups have also been working hard to reduce discrimination toward overweight and obese individuals. And while efforts to reduce discrimination are commendable, it appears there has there been a shift away from general discrimination of overweight individuals to accepting the overweight physique as a more typical
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Canada has seen a significant rise in childhood obesity since the late 1970s—on the whole, obesity rates have more than doubled, and in some age groups, tripled. (3) In 2007–2008, nearly 9 percent of Canadian youth ages 6 to 17 were obese, based on the IOTF age-specific cutoffs. (3) In 2013, 18.8% of Canadians aged 18 and older, roughly 4.9 million adults, reported height and weight that classified them as obese. Though studies have shown immediate life-threatening physical complications are rare among the very young overweight and obese (with the exception of the severe or morbidly obese) it is the long-term physical effects of the excess body fat that are causing much concern among health providers.
Focusing on the prevention of childhood obesity is critical in the prevention of life filled with weight related issues. Most adolescents do not outgrow this problem and in fact, many continue to gain excess weight.(5) Adults who were overweight or obese as a child or adolescent have a significantly higher possibility of becoming obese or becoming morbidly obese. If current trends continue, by 2040, up to 70% of adults aged 40 years will be either overweight or obese.
Canada has seen a significant rise in childhood obesity since the late 1970s—on the whole, obesity rates have more than doubled, and in some age groups, tripled. (3) In 2007–2008, nearly 9 percent of Canadian youth ages 6 to 17 were obese, based on the IOTF age-specific cutoffs. (3) In 2013, 18.8% of Canadians aged 18 and older, roughly 4.9 million adults, reported height and weight that classified them as obese. Though studies have shown immediate life-threatening physical complications are rare among the very young overweight and obese (with the exception of the severe or morbidly obese) it is the long-term physical effects of the excess body fat that are causing much concern among health providers.
Focusing on the prevention of childhood obesity is critical in the prevention of life filled with weight related issues. Most adolescents do not outgrow this problem and in fact, many continue to gain excess weight.(5) Adults who were overweight or obese as a child or adolescent have a significantly higher possibility of becoming obese or becoming morbidly obese. If current trends continue, by 2040, up to 70% of adults aged 40 years will be either overweight or obese.