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 (April 2020 to December 2023) following the onset of the pandemic than in the previous 11 years (January 2009 to March 2020), particularly among females and younger adults, according to the findings of a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on July 14.