Canadian Obesity Levels Soared During COVID-19 Pandemic: Study

The rate of obesity in Canada grew by slightly more than one percentage point per year during the pandemic, roughly double the rate observed before COVID-19, a new study has found. Photo by 9dream studio via Shutterstock

Nearly one-third of Canadians are now classified as obese, a condition that saw a sharp increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study suggests.

The rate of obesity in Canada rose more rapidly in the four years following the onset of the pandemic than in the previous 11 years, particularly among younger adults, according to the findings of a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) this week.