(30-01-07) Canada's obesity crisis widens: study

By TERRY WEBER
Globe and Mail Update
Canada's obesity crisis appears to be deepening, with the number of people classified at the most extreme end of the spectrum exploding in recent years, new research suggested Monday.
The findings were part of a study conducted by researchers at Queen's University, who were looking at changes in the prevalence of three classes of obesity in this country.
They found that between 1990 and 2003, the prevalence of those falling into the class III category of obesity ? those with a body mass index of 40 or greater ? rose to 1.3 per cent, from 0.4 per cent, an increase of 225 per cent.
That trend, they said, mirrored a similar move south of the border, where the prevalence of class III obesity soared 175 per cent.
T hey also noted, however, that, while moves in the two countries were similar over that time frame, the absolute prevalence of class III obesity in this country remained lower than that seen in the United States.
Still, the Canadian figures are also likely conservative because most people tend to underestimate their own weight, the researchers said.
Calculating body mass index ? based on an individual's height and weight ? is a popular way to gauge whether a person is overweight.
Key in future studies will be the use of directly measured data, they said. The current study was based on data from seven national surveys conducted between 1985 and 2003 in which people reported their own height and weight.
?The increases in prevalence of overweight and all levels of obesity in Canada between 1985 and 2003 are cause for concern given the markedly increased risk of premature death and of metabolic and musculoskeletal complications arising from morbid obesity,? the study said.
?The rapid increase in the prevalence of class II and class III obesity will undoubtedly have a significant impact on our health care system.?
Combined, the proportion of Canadians who fall into either the class II or class III category of obesity has risen to 4.3 per cent, from 1 per cent in 1985, according to the Queen's study. That's an increase of 400 per cent in 10 years.

Source: The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

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