according to statistics canada, in 2018, 26.8 per cent of canadian adults (roughly 7.3 million) reported height and weight that classified them as obese. another 9.9 million adults (36.3 per cent) were classified as overweight. that means more than 63 per cent of the population is at an increased risk of health issues due to excess weight.
our purpose is to create a space where those people can come together to find support through forums and conversations, discussing successes, but also the challenges faced in the community and health care system. at obesity matters, we know the kinds of supports that are needed because we have lived through the asperity first-hand.
“to say i have a love-hate relationship with my body is an understatement,” says musician and obesity advocate keith hollahan. “it comes down to how you use your energy and the energy of the people around you. you can let it hold you back or use it as inspiration to get you past the next hurdle. at the end of the day, whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right.”
people living with obesity are often denied access to evidence-based tools like prescription treatments because public and private drug plans often classify obesity as a lifestyle, as though eating less and moving more cures obesity — which we know is not the case. obesity is often not recognized as a chronic disease either, blocking people from receiving the kind of care they require. this inequity of access is the tip of an iceberg where most of the issues lie far beneath the surface and are prevalent throughout the insurance industry and public health services alike.
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