New research published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that the obesity rate doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, something researchers say could be linked to more sedentary behaviour and mental health issues driven by isolation.

Ottawa

Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has found that the rate of obesity in Canada nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which used body mass index (BMI) to track trends, reported that by 2023, one third of Canadians—about 10.6 million people—were considered obese, marking an increase of approximately 8 percentage points since 2009.

Researchers suggest that increased sedentary behaviour and mental health issues, such as those stemming from isolation and depression, contributed to the rise. The study also noted that obesity rates grew most among young adults and that severe obesity became more common among women. The findings raise concerns about potential increases in related health complications, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Canada's obesity rate doubled during pandemic

In the early months of the pandemic, Angela Martin says cooking was her comfort. As a nurse, food helped her cope with the stress of social supports were away. You couldn't go to the gym like where my social event in my social life was, so just didn't have anywhere to go or anything to do. And so it just kind of piled on slowly, but surely. While Martin has always struggled with obesity, she says the pandemic made her weight gain worse and according to new research, she's not alone. And we found that the rate of obesity was steadily increasing. The study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that in 2023, 1 third or 10.6 million Canadians were considered obese up about 8 percentage points since 2009. The study used body mass index or BMI, which researchers recognize is an imperfect measure of health, but still allows them to spot trends. They found that during the pandemic, the rate of obesity nearly doubled. Many different reasons have been hypothesized for this, such as increased sedentary behavior. Another main reason might be factors associated with mental health. One expert who works with people struggling with obesity says isolation likely played a role. People who are living with depression, their depression may have got even worse, and that's where we saw people having an increase in their weight. The research also found that since 2009, obesity increased the most in young adults and that more women became severely obese with the more severe rates of obesity. We're going to see more of the complications, so the complications end up being type 2, diabetes, osteoarthritis, coronary artery disease. Since this data was collected, popular weight loss drugs have become more available in Canada, raising questions about whether that will impact the obesity rate. Jennifer Lagrassa, CBC News, Toronto.

Russia's Vladimir Putin has rejected President Trump's ultimatum for Moscow to sign a ceasefire deal with Ukraine in the next 50 days. Trump has threatened to issue a 100% tariff on any country that does business with Russia if no ceasefire deal is reached.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

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As Suwayda

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Atlanta

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Washington

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New Delhi

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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New Jersey

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Doha

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New York

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Global Tariffs

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Sicily

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Beijing

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Cape Canaveral

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Kerrville

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Lexington

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Brussels

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Butler

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Ahmedabad

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Tehran

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Council of the City of Sydney

Australia to 'support status quo' on Taiwan amid U.S. defense push

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Breakdown