Obesity in Canada

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Introduction

One of the biggest problems of the health care system in Canada is obesity. The youngest generation is considered to be the first who will live less than a generation as parents. According to a survey conducted jointly by the Centers for Disease Control Canada and the U.S. one in every four Canadians and one in every three Americans is obese. The number of obese in both countries has increased mostly in the age group of 20-39 years in women and the male department; the between 60-74 years (Flegal et al, 2010).

A massive campaign was planned for half a year and started by the CBC on television and radio. On the website, of the CBC is even a special subpage of articles devoted to the obesity problem and has advice on how to change the current unhealthy style of living and eating.

They also published the results of a special study which shows that obesity is even more of a serious problem because, on the whole, amost two-thirds of the Canadians have weight problems but only 44% of them admit to their weighing too much i.e. only one-third of the obese people acknowledge that they have obesity issues. Even though, at least half of the total Canadian population is aware of the problem of obesity, as many as 77% are under the impression that their lifestyle is a healthy one (Hamilton, 2007).

Discussion

Since 1977, the number of obese people in Canada have grown from 6.8% to 12% among men and 9.6% to 14% among women. Canadians may be tempted to simply dismiss this problem, oweing to the fact that on the other side of the border, their neighbors have much more problems with obesity. 55% of Americans are significantly overweight while 22% of the population is obese. The most frightening thing is the ever-increasing number of obese children and adolescents. It is believed that in the country that gave the world burgers like the Big Mac and chocolates likes Twix; every child in five is obese (Ferris, 2011). However, in Canada, a country where the people love to play hockey, this problem is no less serious than in America. Statistics show, that obesity among children aged 7 to 12 years old, has increased dramatically and has now reached 23% compared to 15% in the early 90s (Ferris, 2011) .

Medical experts and child psychologists say that these children are doomed to a life of ridicule in school and discrimination at work. They should also expect a whole bunch of inevitable health problems, the list which can be very long includes heart disease, high blood pressure, colon and breast cancer, bladder disease, stroke, pulmonary thrombosis, and also, and perhaps primarily - type 2 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes) (Catherine & Gillian, 2004). Diabetes and associated complications each year claim the lives of about 25 thousand Canadians. More than 2 million Canadians currently have diabetes, and over the next 10 years it is expected that the number will double ...