Obesity in Nova Scotia Doubles in 12 Years

The rate of obesity in Nova Scotia has doubled between 1985 and 1997 for adults between the ages of 20 and 64. More than 37 per cent of Nova Scotian adults in this age range are now considered obese compared to 18.4 per cent in 1985.

These are some of the statistics that three health groups want to change. Cancer Care Nova Scotia, Public Health Services of the Department of Health, and the Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia are hosting a conference today in Dartmouth entitled Collaborative Action to Promote Healthy Weights in Nova Scotia.

It is an issue the province of Nova Scotia and health groups are taking seriously. Excess weight and obesity, like physical inactivity, unhealthy diets and smoking, contribute to several chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some kinds of cancer.

"The concern about the growing rates of obesity in Nova Scotia is not new," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "As a society, Nova Scotia needs to be proactive in finding ways to prevent disease, improve health and enhance quality of life for families and individuals. There are also potential cost savings to the health care system if Nova Scotians had healthier weights."

(Obesity is said to be present if a person has a Body Mass Index of over 27, the point at which medical professionals agree that excess weight is a probable health risk to health. Body Mass Index is a measurement that relates a person's weight and height.)

Starting with this conference, Nova Scotia is openly addressing excess weight as a public health issue. Although the rate of increase in excess weight is similar across Canada for this 12- year period, the percentage of the population considered obese is 31 per cent higher in Nova Scotia than the national average.

"It's estimated that between 30 and 40 per cent of all cases of cancer worldwide could be prevented by appropriate diets and physical activity," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner of Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "One of the prime mandates of Cancer Care Nova Scotia is to promote ways to prevent cancer. Reducing tobacco use is our first priority, but we're also examining the possible link between the high levels of obesity and Nova Scotia's excessive rates of cancer."

With participants coming from many sectors, including government, non-profit and the food industry, organizers hope this initiative will lead to ways for diverse groups to work together to promote healthy weights through co-operation and focussed messages.

"To turn around the increase in obesity, we have to recognize that junk food, physical inactivity and rising stress rates are as toxic and costly as tobacco," Dr. Ron Colman, director of GPI Atlantic, told the conference during a speech.

Dr. Colman noted that Nova Scotians are more time-stressed than ever before, and so are spending 30 per cent less time cooking than 10 years ago, and eating more fast food with high fat and sugar content. Dr. Colman said that rising obesity rates here are part of a global epidemic.

"This issue is not that we are worse than anyone else. The question is whether we can turn this trend around," he said.

Public Health Services works to improve the population's health in partnership with communities, families and individuals by identifying health needs and the potential for improving health. Throughout the province, this service promotes healthy weights in all programs and services.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia has a mandate to co-ordinate, strengthen, and evaluate cancer services in Nova Scotia through integrated prevention, education and treatment programs that are patient- centred, cost effective and based on sound evidence.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The following is a fact sheet with statistics on obesity and health:

• The rate of obesity has doubled in Nova Scotia from 1985 to 1997 for adults between the ages of 20 and 64, not including pregnancy.

• In Canada, Nova Scotia is second only to New Brunswick in the number of obese adults in this age group.

• 37.6 per cent of adults in Nova Scotia between the ages of 20 and 64 are overweight to the point of probable health risk. This compares to 18.4 per cent in 1985.

• The rate of increase in overweight is similar across Canada for this 12-year period, but the percentage of the population considered obese is 31 per cent higher in Nova Scotia than the national average.

• A Body Mass Index of over 27 confers significantly increased health risks for a wide range of illnesses. Body Mass Index is a measurement of weight in relation to height. Twenty-seven is the point where excess weight affects health, according to the Canadian Medical Society Journal.

• Excess weight and obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating practices and smoking contribute to several chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some kinds of cancer.

• Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two leading causes of premature death in Nova Scotia.

• The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research estimate that between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of all cases of cancers worldwide are "preventable by feasible and appropriate diets and by physical activity and maintenance of appropriate body weight."

• It has been estimated that one out of five cancers can be linked to diet, particularly cancers of the breast, colon, mouth, stomach, pancreas, and prostate.

• This is a global problem. Worldwatch Institute, a Washington think-tank, says that for the first time in human history the number of overfed people in the world now equals the number of underfed people at 1.1 billion. Both groups are malnourished. The World Health Organization has called the dramatic spread of obesity a global epidemic.