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Thomas Storring	Director – Economics and Statistics
Tel: 902-424-2410	Email: Thomas.Storring@novascotia.ca

August 01, 2017
CANADIAN COMMUNITY HEALTH SURVEY, 2015

Today, Statistics Canada released new data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey  on body mass index (BMI) of children, youth and adults. BMI data based on the height and weight of respondents  permits a better understanding of childhood, youth and adult obesity rates. According to World Health Organization Classification, Normal Weight BMI is 18.5 to 24.99, Overweight BMI is 25.00 to 29.99 and Obese BMI is 30.00 or higher

The Share of Canadians aged 18 to 64 that are categorized as Normal weight, overweight and obese are 38.2 per cent, 33.3 per cent and 25.7 per cent respectively.The share of Nova Scotia residents  aged 18 to 64 years of normal weight, overweight and obese are 33.7 per cent, 30.1 per cent and 33.3 per cent respectively.

In terms of adults aged 18 to 34 years, the obesity rate is highest among residents of Saskatchewan (41.0 per cent) and Newfoundland and Labrador (30.7 per cent) and low among residents of Quebec (16.4 per cent) and Ontario (17.0 per cent ). 

 

 

The share of Nova Scotia's population  aged 65 years and over  that is categorized as obese is  44.2 per cent,  compared to the national average of 30.2 per cent. Saskatchewan (45.0 per cent) has the largest share of of it's 65 years and over population categorized as obese, followed by Nova Scotia.

 

For 2015, 12 per cent of Canadian youth and children (5 to 17 years) were categorized as obese. Overweight and  normal weight Canadians where 69.1 per cent and 18.9 per cent respectively. Saskatchewan (19.1 per cent ) , Newfoundland and Labrador (19.9 per cent) and  Prince Edward Island (16.8 per cent) reported the highest obesity rate  among youth and children. Quebec (10 per cent ), British Columbia (10.1 per cent ) and Manitoba (10.8 per cent) reported te lowest obesity share among youth and children. Nova Scotia overweight and obese youth and children where 22.4 per cent and 14.9 per cent respectively.

 

 

 Canadian Community Health Survey