Obesity in Canada: a descriptive analysis. Canadian Heart Health Surveys Research Group.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the distribution of body fat, prevalence of obesity, and knowledge of cardiovascular disease in Canadian adults.

DESIGN

Population-based, cross-sectional surveys.

SETTING

Ten Canadian provinces between 1986 and 1992.

PARTICIPANTS

A probability sample of 29,855 men and women aged 18 to 74 years was selected using health insurance registration files in each province. Anthropometry was performed on 19,841 (66%) of these adults.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Body mass index (BMI); waist circumference; ratio of waist to hip circumference; knowledge of causes of heart disease.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 27 kg/m2) increased with age and was greater in men (35%) than in women (27%). Abdominal obesity was also higher in men and increased with both age and BMI. Canadians with lower levels of education had a higher prevalence of obesity, which appeared at a young age. Canadians in Atlantic Canada mentioned lack of exercise, poor diet and smoking as causes of heart disease less frequently than those living in central or western Canada.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity continues to be common among Canadian adults. Policy and programs to promote healthy body weights must be intensified and directed at specific sociodemographic groups.