Public Health Ontario
Adolescents: Obesity
Who are we?
Public Health Ontario (PHO) is a Crown corporation dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Ontarians and reducing inequities in health. PHO links public health practitioners, front-line health workers and researchers to the best scientific intelligence and knowledge from around the world.
Rewind the Future
Why Obesity Occurs
Mostly caused by the increasing consumption of food prepared outside of the home, especially “fast food” or “quick service food,” has a negative impact on BMI due to oversized portions and energy-dense, nutrient-deficient foods (3,27,33). Eating breakfast, which may be an indicator of other healthy eating habits, has been consistently shown to protect against overweight and obesity in children and youth (8,33).
Obesity
- One third of Canadian children are either overweight or obese.
- In 2013, 42 million infants and young children were overweight or obese, worldwide.
- In 2005, the total cost of obesity to Canadians was $4.3 billion.
Solutions
Lifestyle changes such as eating less and increasing activity level.
There are medications that can promote weight loss such as Qsymia, Suprenza and Xenical, (only in conjunction with eating less and exercising more.)
Most medications that promote weight loss work by suppressing the appetite (severe side effect/ obesity medication is commonly used under the supervision of a health care official)
Public Health Ontario
Email: communications@oahpp.ca
Website: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Pages/default.aspx
Location: Suite 300 480 University Avenue Toronto ON M5G 1V2
Phone: 1-877-543-8931
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PublicHealthON/
Twitter: @PublicHealthON
Strategic Plan 2014-2019
As we pursue our vision of internationally-recognized evidence, knowledge and action for a healthier Ontario, we also align our work in support of government priorities, such as the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care and the modernization of the Ontario Public Health Standards.