Nearly six out of 10 Albertans are overweight or obese, finds a Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) report.
The estimated provincial prevalence of those with overweight was 35.2% and those with obesity was 23.9%. In total, it’s 3.7 percentage points higher than the national average.
The greatest prevalence of overweight and obesity was found among men, individuals aged 45 to 64, and those living in the northern part of the province.
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“The rise in obesity is a worldwide public health issue, and is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and more frequent use of healthcare services, and so the HQCA decided to explore this issue further,” says Dr. Tony Fields, board chair for the HQCA.
In 2014, the HQCA conducted a survey of adult Albertans about their use and satisfaction with healthcare services. As part of this survey, self-reported height and weight were collected from individuals in order to calculate their body mass index (BMI).
Overweight and obesity is associated with an increased risk of multiple chronic conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and chronic pain. In addition, overweight and obese individuals reported using the healthcare system for more serious and ongoing issues. They also reported having a lower quality of life.
The report findings suggest Alberta may benefit from working towards a more unified strategy for weight management. An evaluation of new or ongoing weight-management strategies in the province is needed to better identify those programs that are working well and benefitting the health of Albertans.
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