Canada faces obesity epidemic, legislative changes are essential

With the increase in the number of overweight children and young adults Canada, and other developed countries are facing an obesity epidemic and legislative approaches needed to resolve this issue, says an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

In the last three decades, Canadians have become heavier and less fit; 20-39 Years of age have the BMI (body mass index), at the age of 40 people or older had thirty years ago. The 2007-2009 Canadian health measures survey found that more than 60% of adults were overweight or obese, with 24% overweight and 37% obese. If such a trend continues, over the next 25 years are half of Canadians older than 40 obese.

"Obesity will exceed expected to smoking as the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality," writes author Dr. Mark j. Eisenberg, Jewish General Hospital, divisions of Cardiology and epidemiology, with coauthors. "Obesity reduces life expectancy by more than 10 years as a co-morbidity with coronary heart disease, osteoarthritis, Dyslipidemia, hypertension, stroke and diabetes type 2." "So obesity lists to significant morbidity and mortality, and a load of $3.96 billion of the Canadian economy each year represents."

The consumption of high calorie foods, especially junk food and decrease in the level of activity contribute the increase in obesity fuel pump. While there as a medical condition to treat is considered a variety of legislative approaches and public health could help obesity interventions to combat.

Proposed government-level interventions include taxation junk food, improving portion size and nutritional labelling, a ban on certain food and ingredients and regulation sodium consumption. Corporate and school level solutions such as limited access to other approaches are junk food in schools.

"Although obesity traditionally treated as a physical problem for doctors was conceptualised there are more and more awareness of the role of Governments, businesses and educators can in the prevention and reduction of obesity," write the authors.

The authors conclude "The growing problem of obesity in Canada only with an integrated approach involving public health and medical models, can be reversed". "Must be included to achieve the greatest impact involved at all levels."

Link to paper

Source code
Canadian Medical Association Journal

source:medicalnewstoday