Obesity rates surged in Canada during COVID-19 pandemic, study finds – CTV
July 15, 2025
A new Canadian study found the country’s already rising obesity rates accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with experts pointing to major lifestyle disruptions as a likely factor.
Led by researchers at McMaster University, the study analyzed 15 years of data from nearly 750,000 Canadian adults. It found the rate of obesity rose much faster during the pandemic than it had in the preceding decade.
Using body mass index (BMI) to gauge obesity levels, the study found the national obesity rate rose from 25 per cent in 2009 to 33 per cent by 2023. During the pandemic years, the rate of increase doubled, with obesity rates climbing by nearly a full percentage point annually.
“It’s quite concerning, because having obesity has all kinds of health implications for society and for the individuals involved,” said Arthur Sweetman, co-author of the study.
Obesity can increase the risk of serious health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
