inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
get healthing in your inbox with the morning checkup and weekender newsletter!

top obesity associations in canada: finding the right organization and resources for you

over 25 per cent of canadians live with obesity, and these five organizations aim to improve their overall quality of life.

by angelica bottaro
published mar 04, 2024
last updated jul 18, 2024
read time 5 minute read
join the conversation
read time 5 minute read
join the conversation
obesity associations in canada continue to fight against stigma in order to offer physically and mentally healthy solutions for people living with obesity. getty images
obesity affects roughly one in four canadians. while common, people living with obesity are still subject to weight bias and discrimination and often lack adequate access to care because of it. these five organizations aim to change how canadians live with obesity through education, research, advocacy, and high-level change.

obesity canada

2-126 li ka shing centre for health research innovation
university of alberta edmonton, ab t6g2e1
780-492-8361
info@obesitynetwork.ca
obesity canada is the “leading obesity registered charity association” in canada. their primary mission is to provide canadians with the tools and knowledge they need to improve their lives one day at a time. the organization works with health professionals, researchers, trainees and students, policy makers, and canadians living with obesity to foster a community of inclusion, respect, and change for the better.
people who have obesity are often subject to health discrimination because of their weight, and obesity canada aims to put out that fire in an effort to create respectful and evidence-based action toward helping those with obesity find the proper treatment in safe spaces free from weight bias and discrimination.

related stories

world obesity day 2024: 'my hope is that we can drop the judgment and look for solutions’
five advocates shared their thoughts on what they felt was the most important issue facing the obesity community.
obesity has emerged as a global health crisis, with the fastest growth rates in low- and middle-income countries.

understanding the obesity epidemic in canada: rates and impacts
obesity is a significant risk factor for a multitude of more serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
regarding geographical distribution, provinces with the highest proportions of obese adults as compared to the national average were newfoundland and labrador, prince edward island, nova scotia, new brunswick, manitoba, saskatchewan, and alberta.
story continues below
in collaboration with the canadian association of bariatric physicians and surgeons, obesity canada developed the canadian adult obesity clinical practice guidelines (cpgs), a framework guide for healthcare professionals and policy makers based on evidence and lived experiences with obesity. the guide offers vital information for those who live with obesity and the healthcare providers who treat them.
by working with people in all categories in the fight against obesity, obesity canada aids in making changes at a high level that, in turn, provide a safer and more inclusive health environment for people who have obesity or those at risk of obesity.
—

obesity matters

5700-100 king street west
toronto, on m5x 1c7
416-565-9722
info@obesity-matters.com
obesity matters is a community of people who have lived with obesity coming together to tackle weight bias and correct the misinformation of diet traps and unrealistic standards set out by health and fitness industries surrounding weight loss and 2022年世界杯名单猜测. they are not gathered to focus on weight but rather assist those with obesity in adopting a healthier lifestyle that will continue to improve their health parameters in a long-term and sustainable way.
powered by
obesity canada
story continues below
they focus on five main pillars of obesity to make real change in the lives of canadians who cope with the disease every day:
  • spreading awareness through open communication about obesity and how it impacts overall health
  • squashing myths geared towards those with obesity by supplying evidence-based resources to people who need them
  • empowering people who have obesity by challenging weight stigma for a more inclusive and discrimination-free environment
  • working toward high-level change by advocating for environmental and public policy corrections to improve the overall well-being of people who have obesity
  • providing a supportive community that is accepting of people regardless of their obesity status
through continued efforts, the people at obesity matters understand the importance of embracing vulnerable communities to help restore self-worth through proactive efforts on all fronts: policy, healthcare organizations and providers, and patients.
—

ontario bariatric network

39 charlton avenue e
hamilton, on l8n 1y3
905-522-1155
achetty@stjoes.ca
established in 2009, the ontario bariatric network is a part of the ontario bariatric services strategy designed to foster accessible treatment for people living with obesity. the network of individuals aims to reduce the number of people who have obesity and obesity-related diseases by providing healthcare free of stigma, discrimination, and weight bias.
powered by
obesity matters
story continues below
the ontario bariatric network has programs to facilitate the safe treatment of obesity while offering information and education in a way that fosters healthy, sustainable, long-term lifestyles.
along with care and education, the network also conducts research to ensure that all aspects of care are evidence-based and safe for patients looking to find the proper treatment for their specific case of obesity.
the collaborative environment of the ontario bariatric network is focused on advancing patient care further than ever before for those living with obesity in canada.
—

canadian obesity advocacy network (coan)

national
info@obesitynetwork.ca
the canadian obesity advocacy network (coan) is a collection of diverse organizations intent on changing how canadians view obesity. the current narrative, full of stigma and weight bias, continues to negatively affect those living with obesity, and coan is working to address those issues through education and advocacy. partners include:
story continues below
their main goal is to alter the canadian healthcare system in a way that fosters safety and inclusion for those who have obesity by setting goals to change policies and helping others to recognize the complex nature of obesity, and the fact that it is a chronic disease just like any other and deserves to be treated as such.
to accomplish this, coan has brought together key organizations involved in health education, policy, and legislation. by providing evidence-based information to each level of healthcare in the country, coan will improve access to care, quality of care, and knowledge surrounding the chronic disease to all canadians working with or impacted by obesity.
—

public health ontario obesity

661 university avenue, suite 1701
toronto, on m5g 1m1
1-877-543-8931
communications@oahpp.ca
public health ontario, or the ontario agency for health protection and promotion, is the government body that provides responsible, evidence-based information and technical advice to people who work to protect, promote, and treat people with chronic health disorders, such as obesity.
in an effort to change the way people view and treat obesity in the country, public health ontario provides resources and research information for those living with obesity as well as health partners who treat the disease.
story continues below
the resources provided on their site range from new clinical studies surrounding the state of obesity in the country to evidentiary support on nutrition, environmental factors, and other areas of health that contribute to the development of obesity in various populations.
people wishing to educate themselves on all things obesity can visit their resource page to find a wide array of documents and other articles to improve stigma and weight bias through the power of evidence-based advocacy, prevention and treatment techniques, and infographics detailing the connection between lifestyle and obesity.
angelica bottaro
angelica bottaro

angelica bottaro is the lead editor at healthing.ca, and has been content writing for over a decade, specializing in all things health. her goal as a health journalist is to bring awareness and information to people that they can use as an additional tool toward their own optimal health.

read more about the author

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

you may also like
ozempic insulin injection pen for diabetics and weight loss.
wegovy approved for lowered risk of heart attack: what it means for people living with obesity and heart disease
obesity matters has developed a series of 12 wellness workshops starting this fall to bring wellness resources and experts free of charge to all people through informative and actionable virtual gatherings.
obesity matters wellness workshop: embracing wellness beyond the scale
the obesity matters leadership team, pictured, has worked tirelessly to develop resources to bring unprecedented support to people living with obesity in quebec through the organization's new french division, parlons obésité.
obesity matters launches french division to support and advocate for people in quebec  
a group of cheerful small school kids in canteen, eating lunch and talking.
understanding the childhood obesity epidemic: environment, genetics and education
neda nasseri, product director of benefits at desjardins insurance and advisory board member with obesity matters; rachel atkins, board vice-chair, director of strategy, and patient advocate with obesity matters; and dr. david attalla, internal medicine and obesity medicine physician. (left to right)
the toll of obesity: long-term impact, access to care and insurance support
you may also like
ozempic insulin injection pen for diabetics and weight loss.
wegovy approved for lowered risk of heart attack: what it means for people living with obesity and heart disease
obesity matters has developed a series of 12 wellness workshops starting this fall to bring wellness resources and experts free of charge to all people through informative and actionable virtual gatherings.
obesity matters wellness workshop: embracing wellness beyond the scale
the obesity matters leadership team, pictured, has worked tirelessly to develop resources to bring unprecedented support to people living with obesity in quebec through the organization's new french division, parlons obésité.
obesity matters launches french division to support and advocate for people in quebec  
a group of cheerful small school kids in canteen, eating lunch and talking.
understanding the childhood obesity epidemic: environment, genetics and education
you may also like
ozempic insulin injection pen for diabetics and weight loss.
wegovy approved for lowered risk of heart attack: what it means for people living with obesity and heart disease
obesity matters has developed a series of 12 wellness workshops starting this fall to bring wellness resources and experts free of charge to all people through informative and actionable virtual gatherings.
obesity matters wellness workshop: embracing wellness beyond the scale