Arya M Sharma1, Ximena Ramos Salas2. 1. University of Alberta, Li Ka Shing Building, Rm 1-116, 87th Avenue and 112th Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada. 2. Canadian Obesity Network, University of Alberta, Li Ka Shing Building, Rm 2-126, 87th Avenue and 112th Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada. ramos-salas@obesitynetwork.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this study was to review public and private sector obesity policies in Canada and to make recommendations for future evidence-based obesity prevention and management strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: Synthesis of obesity prevention and management policies and research studies are presented in three primary themes: (1) Increased awareness about the impact of weight bias and obesity stigma in Canada; (2) Inadequate government obesity prevention and management policies and strategies; and (3) Lack of comprehensive private sector obesity prevention and management policies. Findings suggest that in Canada, obesity continues to be treated as a self-inflicted risk factor, which affects the type of interventions and approaches that are implemented by governments or covered by private health plans. The lack of recognition of obesity as a chronic disease by Canadian public and private payers, health systems, employers, and the public, has a trickle-down effect on access to evidence-based prevention and treatment. Although there is increasing recognition and awareness about the impact of weight bias and obesity stigma on the health and social well-being of Canadians, interventions are urgently needed in education, healthcare, and public policy sectors. We conclude by making recommendations for the advancement of evidence-based obesity prevention and management policies that can improve the lives of Canadians affected by obesity.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this study was to review public and private sector obesity policies in Canada and to make recommendations for future evidence-based obesity prevention and management strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: Synthesis of obesity prevention and management policies and research studies are presented in three primary themes: (1) Increased awareness about the impact of weight bias and obesity stigma in Canada; (2) Inadequate government obesity prevention and management policies and strategies; and (3) Lack of comprehensive private sector obesity prevention and management policies. Findings suggest that in Canada, obesity continues to be treated as a self-inflicted risk factor, which affects the type of interventions and approaches that are implemented by governments or covered by private health plans. The lack of recognition of obesity as a chronic disease by Canadian public and private payers, health systems, employers, and the public, has a trickle-down effect on access to evidence-based prevention and treatment. Although there is increasing recognition and awareness about the impact of weight bias and obesity stigma on the health and social well-being of Canadians, interventions are urgently needed in education, healthcare, and public policy sectors. We conclude by making recommendations for the advancement of evidence-based obesity prevention and management policies that can improve the lives of Canadians affected by obesity.
Authors: Paula Brauer; Sarah Connor Gorber; Elizabeth Shaw; Harminder Singh; Neil Bell; Amanda R E Shane; Alejandra Jaramillo; Marcello Tonelli Journal: CMAJ Date: 2015-01-26 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: William H Dietz; Loel S Solomon; Nico Pronk; Sarah K Ziegenhorn; Marion Standish; Matt M Longjohn; David D Fukuzawa; Ihuoma U Eneli; Lisel Loy; Natalie D Muth; Eduardo J Sanchez; Jenny Bogard; Don W Bradley Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2015-09 Impact factor: 6.301
Authors: Sean Wharton; David C W Lau; Michael Vallis; Arya M Sharma; Laurent Biertho; Denise Campbell-Scherer; Kristi Adamo; Angela Alberga; Rhonda Bell; Normand Boulé; Elaine Boyling; Jennifer Brown; Betty Calam; Carol Clarke; Lindsay Crowshoe; Dennis Divalentino; Mary Forhan; Yoni Freedhoff; Michel Gagner; Stephen Glazer; Cindy Grand; Michael Green; Margaret Hahn; Raed Hawa; Rita Henderson; Dennis Hong; Pam Hung; Ian Janssen; Kristen Jacklin; Carlene Johnson-Stoklossa; Amy Kemp; Sara Kirk; Jennifer Kuk; Marie-France Langlois; Scott Lear; Ashley McInnes; David Macklin; Leen Naji; Priya Manjoo; Marie-Philippe Morin; Kara Nerenberg; Ian Patton; Sue Pedersen; Leticia Pereira; Helena Piccinini-Vallis; Megha Poddar; Paul Poirier; Denis Prud'homme; Ximena Ramos Salas; Christian Rueda-Clausen; Shelly Russell-Mayhew; Judy Shiau; Diana Sherifali; John Sievenpiper; Sanjeev Sockalingam; Valerie Taylor; Ellen Toth; Laurie Twells; Richard Tytus; Shahebina Walji; Leah Walker; Sonja Wicklum Journal: CMAJ Date: 2020-12-07 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Sean Wharton; David C W Lau; Michael Vallis; Arya M Sharma; Laurent Biertho; Denise Campbell-Scherer; Kristi Adamo; Angela Alberga; Rhonda Bell; Normand Boulé; Elaine Boyling; Jennifer Brown; Betty Calam; Carol Clarke; Lindsay Crowshoe; Dennis Divalentino; Mary Forhan; Yoni Freedhoff; Michel Gagner; Stephen Glazer; Cindy Grand; Michael Green; Margaret Hahn; Raed Hawa; Rita Henderson; Dennis Hong; Pam Hung; Ian Janssen; Kristen Jacklin; Carlene Johnson-Stoklossa; Amy Kemp; Sara Kirk; Jennifer Kuk; Marie-France Langlois; Scott Lear; Ashley McInnes; David Macklin; Leen Naji; Priya Manjoo; Marie-Philippe Morin; Kara Nerenberg; Ian Patton; Sue Pedersen; Leticia Pereira; Helena Piccinini-Vallis; Megha Poddar; Paul Poirier; Denis Prud'homme; Ximena Ramos Salas; Christian Rueda-Clausen; Shelly Russell-Mayhew; Judy Shiau; Diana Sherifali; John Sievenpiper; Sanjeev Sockalingam; Valerie Taylor; Ellen Toth; Laurie Twells; Richard Tytus; Shahebina Walji; Leah Walker; Sonja Wicklum Journal: CMAJ Date: 2020-08-04 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Arya M Sharma; André Bélanger; Veronica Carson; Jodi Krah; Marie-France Langlois; Diana Lawlor; Suzanne Lepage; Aiden Liu; David A Macklin; Noel MacKay; Arash Pakseresht; Sue D Pedersen; Ximena Ramos Salas; Michael Vallis Journal: Clin Obes Date: 2019-07-11