Adult obesity rate

In 2025, the adult obesity rate in Canada is projected to reach 60.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9% from 2020 to 2025. This increase reflects the ongoing trend of deteriorating dietary health among Canadians, negatively impacting the prevalence of overweight and obesity. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated this trend, as lockdowns and a shift to remote work disrupted regular physical activity routines. Consequently, the adult obesity rate rose by 0.5% in 2020 and further surged by 2.5% in 2021 as pandemic restrictions persisted. Although these rates slowed as restrictions eased in 2022, the prolonged impact of the pandemic on Canadians' mental and physical health contributed to maintaining elevated obesity rates. Furthermore, the rise in diabetes cases among individuals with weight-related health conditions exacerbated the issue during this period. As a result, the adult obesity rate continued to grow by 0.6% in both 2024 and 2025.

Over the period from 2020 to 2025, lifestyle factors have significantly influenced the rising obesity trend among adults. The availability of time-constrained lifestyles, coupled with high-calorie diets and sedentary habits, fueled the growth of high BMI prevalence. Notably, urban areas noted lower obesity occurrences compared to rural or suburban localities where greater reliance on automobiles and decreased access to recreational facilities limited physical activity. Despite variations in obesity rates across provinces, a national rise in health consciousness suggests the potential for future improvements. This growth in health awareness provides a potential turning point for curbing obesity rates through increased participation in physical activities and healthier dietary choices