Health tips
Obesity today
Recent studies suggest that an estimated 37 percent of Canadian adults are overweight and 24 percent are obese. That’s more than 60 percent of Canadians who do not have a healthy weight. As for children (over 6) and youth, 17 percent were found to be overweight, while 9 percent were considered obese.
Body mass index
Being considered overweight, that is, having a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9, does not pose a health risk. In fact, someone who carries excess weight may even be healthier than a person with a healthy weight.
A BMI greater than 30 indicates obesity. People who are obese have twice the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to those who have a healthy weight. Moreover, people who carry excess weight around their waist also present greater risk of suffering from heart disease. Pay special attention to your waist circumference if it is:
- greater than 35 inches for women
- greater than 40 inches for men
However, all experts agree that diets and weight loss products are not a safe, efficient and sustainable way to lose weight. The answer is to change your eating habits and exercise on a regular basis.
Pharmacy services
For more information about your health, talk to your pharmacist!
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