Obesity today
Recent studies suggest that an estimated 37 percent of Canadian adults are overweight and 24 percent are obese. That’s more than 60 percent of Canadians who do not have a healthy weight. As for children (over 6) and youth, 17 percent were found to be overweight, while 9 percent were considered obese.
Body mass index
Being considered overweight, that is, having a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9, does not pose a health risk. In fact, someone who carries excess weight may even be healthier than a person with a healthy weight.
A BMI greater than 30 indicates obesity. People who are obese have twice the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to those who have a healthy weight. Moreover, people who carry excess weight around their waist also present greater risk of suffering from heart disease. Pay special attention to your waist circumference if it is:
- greater than 35 inches for women
- greater than 40 inches for men
However, all experts agree that diets and weight loss products are not a safe, efficient and sustainable way to lose weight. The answer is to change your eating habits and exercise on a regular basis.
Pharmacy services
For more information about your health, talk to your pharmacist!
The pharmacy services presented in this section are offered by pharmacist owners who are affiliated with Uniprix. The pharmacists are solely responsible for the professional activities carried out during the practice of pharmacy. These services are offered in participating pharmacies only. Certain fees and conditions may apply.
* The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide complete information on the subject matter or to replace the advice of a health professional. This information does not constitute medical consultation, diagnosis or opinion and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions about your health, medications or treatment.