Obesity Canada says health systems have not kept pace with advances in obesity science and treatment
For immediate release
Edmonton, AB — October 6, 2026 — A new report from Obesity Canada shows that Canada’s policies and health systems have not kept pace with the science of obesity as a chronic disease, leaving access to evidence-informed care uneven across the country.
The State of Obesity Care in Canada examines how well Canada’s policies, systems and care pathways align with current evidence and clinical guidance on obesity. The report finds that despite major advances in the science of obesity, access to care remains uneven and inconsistent, shaped by geography, income, benefits coverage, local resources and experiences of weight bias in healthcare. Released ahead of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Health Ministers’ meeting in Winnipeg, the report provides a national snapshot of where obesity care stands today and identifies policy and system changes needed to close persistent gaps in care.
The report identifies five connected gaps holding back better obesity care in Canada:
- Canada does not measure what matters for obesity;
- Access to primary care does not always mean access to obesity care;
- Surgical access depends too much on where you live;
- Medication use is rising, but coverage is not;
- Psychological care is essential, but often invisible.
“People living with obesity cannot wait for systems to catch up with the science,” said Dr. Ian Patton, Director of Advocacy and Public Engagement at Obesity Canada. “Obesity is a complex chronic disease, not a failure of willpower. But health policy, funding and coverage decisions still reflect an outdated understanding of obesity. That is not how we approach other chronic diseases, and it should not be how we approach obesity. We need governments to recognize, measure and fund obesity care in ways that reflect the evidence.”
Nearly one in three Canadians are estimated to be living with obesity, although national prevalence data continue to rely heavily on BMI-based measures. Obesity is associated with increased risk of more than 200 health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, sleep apnea and some cancers. The consequences extend beyond individual health. Research published in BMC Public Health estimates that inaction in treating obesity cost Canada $27.6 billion in 2023 — $5.9 billion in direct healthcare costs and $21.7 billion in broader economic costs.
“For people living with obesity, gaps in care are not abstract — they show up in long waits, unaffordable treatment, limited local services, and experiences of bias and stigma,” said Lisa Schaffer, Executive Director of Obesity Canada. “People are left doing the exhausting work of navigating a healthcare system that was not designed to support them. This report shows where those gaps exist — and where Canada has an opportunity to change them.”
Obesity Canada is calling on governments and health system leaders to recognize and measure obesity appropriately; integrate and fund comprehensive obesity care within Canada’s chronic disease systems; and equip healthcare professionals and health systems to deliver evidence-informed care without weight bias.
“The science of obesity care has moved beyond weight alone,” said Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, Scientific Director at Obesity Canada. “Comprehensive care considers health, function, quality of life and ongoing support. But healthcare professionals cannot deliver that care without the systems, teams, training, referral pathways and funded treatment options to support it.”
The State of Obesity Care in Canada is available here.
People across Canada can also send the report to their elected official and ask them to support better obesity care by visiting this webpage.
About Obesity Canada
Obesity Canada is a national health charity working to change how Canada sees, supports, and understands people affected by obesity. We connect science, lived experience, and advocacy to drive change in healthcare, policy, and public perception of obesity.
Media Contact:
Talia Wiebe
Director of Marketing & Communications
Obesity Canada
media@obesitycanada.ca
