Canadians' struggle to control their weight poses a public health risk on par with the fight to curb tobacco use in the 1970s, the Heart and Stroke Foundation said Tuesday.
According to the foundation's Annual Report Card on Canadians' Health, the increasing number of overweight and obese Canadians now poses one of the greatest threats ever to public health in the country.
"The prevalence of this serious health risk is almost exactly what we faced with tobacco use 30 years ago — when half of Canadians smoked," said Dr. Anthony Graham, Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson and cardiologist.
"We continue to face the impact that tobacco use has on our society. At the same time, we are confronted by the reality that almost half (47 per cent) of Canadians are overweight or obese."
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, almost two-thirds or more than 12 million Canadian adults (age 20-64) are overweight and/or smoke.
The Foundation's Foundation research has shown that the number of deaths in Canada attributable to overweight and obesity has almost doubled over the past fifteen years, increasing from 2,514 in 1985 to 4,321 in 2000.
Overweight and obese Canadians are at greater risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
Compounding the problem is the fact that only 43 per cent of Canadians are physically active.
As part of the report, the Heart and Stroke Foundation asked Canadians who they think is responsible for finding answers to the obesity issue.
Fifty-four per cent said it is an individual responsibility, while 18 per cent suggested that some level of government should take the lead. Two per cent said the food industry should show leadership.
The Foundation says that without leadership from the food industry and strong government policy, the number of overweight Canadians is sure to increase.
"We live in an environment that promotes obesity, and individuals alone can't solve this problem," said Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk, epidemiologist and Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesman. "The way our society is structured makes it difficult for many people to integrate healthy eating and daily physical activity into their lives.”
A new action plan from the Foundation calls on the food industry to reduce the amount of saturated and trans fat in foods and restrict the distribution and advertising of junk foods to children by removing vending machines from elementary and high school cafeterias.
The Foundation is also calling on all three levels of government to produce strategies to encourage healthy living by using urban planning that supports recreational activity; instituting quality daily physical education in all Canadian schools and ensuring that the public-health system has the resources to address overweight, obesity and chronic diseases.
