New data from Statistics Canada indicates that excess body weight among Canadian adults has reached its highest recorded level. According to findings from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), 68 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 79 were classified as overweight or obese between 2022 and 2024, an increase from 60 per cent during the 2016 to 2019 period.
Source: Statistics Canada, Daily — October 2, 2025
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/251002/dq251002b-eng.htm
These figures are based on direct physical measurements, including height, weight, and waist circumference, rather than self-reported data, making them one of the most reliable indicators of population health trends in Canada.
Statistics Canada notes that this increase aligns with research linking pandemic-related lifestyle changes, such as reduced physical activity and more sedentary behaviour, to rising obesity levels. While the COVID-19 period may have contributed to recent increases, long-term data suggests that rising body weight in Canada is not a new phenomenon. Rates of overweight and obesity have been steadily increasing for decades, pointing to broader and more persistent lifestyle, environmental, and societal factors.
Modern life has changed how people move, eat, work, and rest. Many Canadians spend a significant portion of their day sitting, often under high levels of stress and time pressure. Long work hours, shift work, limited access to nutritious food, reliance on ultra-processed convenience foods, and reduced opportunities for regular physical activity all influence long-term health outcomes. These factors tend to accumulate across generations, shaping behaviours and habits over time rather than emerging from a single event.
The survey also highlights a concerning rise in abdominal obesity, defined as excess fat around the waist. Nearly 49 per cent of adults had waist measurements above thresholds associated with increased health risks. Waist circumference is an important measure because it provides additional insight into cardiometabolic risk beyond body mass index (BMI) alone.
Excess body weight, particularly abdominal obesity, is associated with a higher risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. At the population level, these conditions contribute to increased healthcare utilization, reduced quality of life, and higher long-term healthcare costs. As prevalence rises, so does the strain on a healthcare system already facing significant capacity challenges.
Public health experts consistently emphasize that addressing overweight and obesity is not about blame or judgment. Instead, it requires evidence-based strategies that support healthier choices. Research shows that improving nutrition literacy, encouraging regular physical activity, fostering supportive home and school environments, and increasing access to healthy foods and safe spaces for movement can positively influence health outcomes across the lifespan.
Children and adolescents are of particular importance. Habits formed early, around food, movement, and daily routines, often persist into adulthood. Supporting families with clear, practical nutrition education and opportunities for regular movement helps lay the foundation for healthier future generations.
The latest Statistics Canada data serves as a reminder that excess weight is a population-level health issue, shaped by long-term patterns and environments. Addressing it requires sustained education, supportive policies, and collective effort. By focusing on prevention, balanced nutrition, and healthy movement from an early age, Canada can work toward improving long-term health outcomes and easing future pressures on the healthcare system.
