An increase in mortality among the obese
Globally, overweight and obesity are now associated with more deaths than underweight caused by starvation or disease. This is an unprecedented situation that affects all high and middle-income countries like Canada. This mortality is explained by the fact that obesity is a complex risk factor for chronic diseases and is associated with a number of socio-economic determinants.
A public health issue as important as smoking
Obesity is now a public health issue as important as smoking since it leads to an increase in coronary and cardiovascular diseases, several cancers, type 2 diabetes, and a number of other complications like joint problems, breathing difficulties and sleep disturbances.
In Quebec, as elsewhere in Canada and around the world, weight-related experts agree on the need for government involvement to prevent obesity. Illnesses caused by smoking and deaths caused by drinking and driving are on the decline. These successes are due to government policies and the citizens who support them. The same should apply to obesity.