Obesity in Canada Over the past half-century, obesity has gone from a marginal public health concern in Canada to a pervasive challenge across age groups. In 1979, 23% of children age 2–17 were overweight or obese, and, by 2017, 30% of children age 5–17 were overweight or obese. In a national survey in 2021, 29.5% of Canadian adults had a BMI (adjusted self-reported) in the obesity range, and an additional 35.5% were overweight, meaning about 65% of adults fall in the combined category of overweight and obese. The costs mirror the scale of the problem. In 2010, obesity and related illnesses were estimated to cost Canada up to $7.1 billion in direct and indirect costs, including hospital care, physician services and lost productivity. As obesity advances, so do associated risks— type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal issues and increased mortality. Childhood obesity not only raises early life health burdens but also tends to continue into adulthood, perpetuating lifelong risk. Statistics are from the Public Health Agency of Canada. References 1. Large JF, O’Keefe E, Valentine C, Roebuck EM. Weight screening in paediatric dentistry: What do families and staff think? Int J Paediatr Dent. 2022 Sep;32 Suppl 1:64-66. 2. Large JF, Madigan C, Graham H, Biddle GJH, Sanders J, Daley AJ. Public and dental teams’ views about weight management interventions in dental health settings: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2024 Jun;25(6):e13726. 3. Large JF, Roalfe A, Madigan C, Daley AJ. Acceptance among the public of weight screening and interventions delivered by dental professionals: observational study. Obesity. 2024 Dec;32(12):2364-75. Adding Dentistry’s Voice Why dentistry? Dr. Large offers two answers: access and science. Family dental practices see millions of children and adults, often more regularly than family physicians. This access provides an opportunity to help improve oral and overall health and wellbeing. And the links between oral and systemic health are well established, especially periodontal disease and conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease of which obesity is a risk factor. Dentistry’s prevention mindset is already in place; aligning it with holistic health is a logical next step. Dr. Hampl adds that consistent messages across settings—dental, medical, school and community—can counter the fragmentation families sometimes experience in health care. With sensitive conversations and supportive systems, dental teams can help families navigate one of the defining health challenges of our time. “As dentists, we’re uniquely placed,” Dr. Large says. “With training and guidance, we can make this routine, compassionate, and effective.” Dr. Hampl puts it plainly: If dentistry adds its voice, she says, “kids will hear the messages about being healthy more often, and that matters.” Dentistry’s prevention mindset is already in place; aligning it with holistic health is a logical next step. Consistent messages across settings—dental, medical, school and community—can counter the fragmentation families sometimes experience in health care. Dr. Jessica Large Dr. Sarah Hampl 17 Issue 6 | 2025 | News and Events
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