TUESDAY, Jan. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Like other developed nations, overweight and obesity have increased steadily and markedly in Canada since 1985, according to an analysis of data from seven national surveys published in the Jan. 17 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The analysis, conducted by Peter J. Katzmarzyk, Ph.D., and Caitlin Mason, M.Sc., of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, was designed to identify trends for normal weight, overweight and three classes of obesity between 1985 and 2003.
The prevalence for overweight and all three classes of obesity increased steadily during that time. The prevalence of class III obesity (Body Mass Index 40 or greater) increased from 0.4% in 1990 to 1.3% in 2003, a 225% increase. Trends in the United States over roughly the same time period showed a 175% increase in class III obesity, from 0.8% to 2.2%. The prevalence of class II (BMI 35-39.9) and class III obesity increased from 1% in 1985 to 4.3% in 2003, a 430% increase. Despite this, Katzmarzyk notes that the overall obesity prevalence in Canada remains lower than in the United States.
The Canadian team adds that the estimates are likely to be conservative, since individuals tend to underestimate their weight and underreport obesity.
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