according to obesity canada , a registered charity that aims to improve the lives of canadians through obesity research, education, and advocacy, obesity is defined by “excess or abnormal body fat that can impair [one’s] health.” many leading health organizations, including obesity canada, the canadian medical association, the american medical association, and the world health organization, now classify it as a chronic disease. in recent years, the number of canadians living with obesity has steadily increased. according to statistics canada, roughly one-third of canadians are now identified as overweight, while nearly 30 per cent qualify as obese.
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in toronto, van’s approach to combating this epidemic involves blending more traditional treatment methods with cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy. the latter aligns with the new canadian adult obesity clinical practice guidelines (cpgs ). they were crafted by more than 60 canadian healthcare workers, researchers, and people living with obesity under the guidance of obesity canada and the canadian association of bariatric physicians and surgeons.
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