Trends in weight change among Canadian adults

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By Heather M. Orpana, Mark S. Tremblay and Philippe Finès

Abstract
Acknowledgements
Authors
Keywords
Findings
Methods
Definitions
Limitations
References

Abstract

Objectives

Longitudinal analyses were used to examine the rate of change of self-reported weight among adults over two-year intervals from 1996/1997 to 2004/2005, and to determine if the pace at which Canadians' weight is changing has slowed down or accelerated.  Associations between weight change and sex, age group and body mass index (BMI) category are also examined.

Data sources

The data are from the 1996/1997 through 2004/2005 National Population Health Survey.

Analytical techniques

Average weight changes over two-year intervals were calculated by sex, age group and BMI category.  Linear regression was used to determine if the rate of weight change was stable, increased or decreased over time.

Main results

From 1996/1997 to 2004/2005, Canadian adults gained, on average, 0.5 to 1 kg per two-year period. Although people aged 18 to 64 continued to gain weight, the amount gained decreased significantly in the most recent interval, 2002/2003 to 2004/2005.  This downturn is due, in part, to a significant decrease in the proportion of men gaining weight during that period.  However, among people who gained weight, the amount gained in two years increased over the entire eight-year period.

Acknowledgements

Jean-Marie Berthelot generated the idea for this article.  Georgia Roberts contributed invaluable statistical and methodological assistance, and Kathy White and Christel Le Petit provided helpful comments on successive drafts.

Authors

• Heather M. Orpana and Philippe Finès, Health Analysis and Measurement Group
  Statistics Canada
  Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6
  
  Telephone: (613) 951-1650
  Email: Heather.Orpana@statcan.ca
  
  Telephone: (613) 951-3896
  Email: Philippe.Fines@statcan.ca
  
  
• Mark S. Tremblay, Health Measures Division
  Statistics Canada
  Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6
  Telephone: (613) 951-4385
  Email: Mark.Tremblay@statcan.ca

Keywords

• body mass index
• body weight
• longitudinal studies
• obesity
• overweight
• weight gain

Findings

Consistent with trends in other countries, the prevalence of obesity has been rising in Canada.  From 1978/1979 to 2004, the percentage of Canadian adults who were obese rose from 14% to 23%.  The increasing prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern, as excess weight has been associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, psychosocial difficulties, osteoarthritis, and premature mortality.  [Full text]

Methods

Data source

This analysis is based on data from five cycles (cycles 2 to 6) of the National Population Health Survey (NPHS), conducted by Statistics Canada from 1996/1997 to 2004/2005.  Every two years since 1994/1995, the NPHS has collected data about health status, health behaviours and other determinants of health.  The survey is representative of the household residents in all provinces in 1994/1995. [Full text]

Definitions

Weight was self-reported and converted to the nearest kilogram for respondents answering in pounds.  Similarly, height was self-reported and converted into metres for respondents answering in feet and inches.  [Full text]

Limitations

The data in these analyses were obtained primarily by computer-assisted telephone interviews and were self- or proxy-reported. [Full text]

References

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