Canadian HR Reporter

20 www.hrreporter.com F E A T U R E S OBESITY is a common and trouble- some health condition that affects more than one-quarter of Canadians. Carrying excess weight increases the risk of many severe and potentially debilitating diseases and health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and osteoarthritis. Many of these conditions are severe and can prove to be fatal. In addition to an increased risk of disease, statistics indicate that overweight and obese employees are more prone to other illnesses and are absent from work more often, which could impact their productivity and lead to more doctor visits. In 2018, 26.8 per cent of Canadians 18 and older (roughly 7.3 million adults) reported height and weight that classified them as obese, according to Taking ACTION Given MacKay's interest in workplace diabetes and obesity, it wasn't surprising that he jumped at an opportunity to participate as a member of the steering committee for the ACTION study on obesity in Canada, sponsored by Novo Nordisk. The study, published in October 2019 in the journal Clinical Obesity — "Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity management in Canada: Results from the ACTION study" — was the first Canadian nationwide study to highlight the viewpoints of people with obesity, health-care practitioners and employers. MacKay vetted 900 questions; 300 questions for each of the three participating groups — 150 employers, 2,000 people with obesity and 395 health-care practitioners. The study was further proof that, in comparison to Canadians living with other chronic diseases, deep- rooted weight bias continues to limit the support and treatment options a v a i l a b l e t o C a n a d i a n s l i v i n g with obesity. OBESITY LEVELS EXPECTED TO RISE DRAMATICALLY BY 2025 preventing people from accessing meaningful obesity care. Obesity and its impact on the workplace aren't anything new for Noel MacKay, principal consultant in group benefits at Cowan Insurance Group. Involved in this sphere for more than 35 years, MacKay first took an interest when he participated in an investigation team quantifying adolescent obesity for the Brant County District Health Unit. "Not a lot has changed," says MacKay. "The problem remains and is increasing, and the risks are high. People who are obese, for the most part, don't need to be told they're obese — they know they are. "Most people would rather not be, but it's not as easy as getting off the couch and eating your vegetables. Obesity is a complex issue, and there is no one fix for everyone." 261 IN 1,000 The number of obesity cases in Canada in 2013-14. 326 IN 1,000 The estimated number of obesity cases in Canada in 2023-24. 18% The percentage of men expected to be obese in 2025. 21% The percentage of women expected to be obese in 2025. COMBATTING OBESITY THROUGH SUPPORT Beyond empowering employees with knowledge about weight and risk factors, employers can offer programs that employees perceive as having real value, which are more responsive to their needs, says Joanna Swan of Cowan Group Statistics Canada. Another 9.9 million adults (36.3 per cent) were classified as overweight, bringing the total population with increased health risks due to excess weight to 63.1 per cent. And the rising numbers are a concern. Back in 1978, 14 per cent of Canadian adults were considered obese. That climbed to 23 per cent in 2004 and 28 per cent in 2014, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Obesity is a chronic disease Characterized by excess body fat that can adversely impact health, obesity is now recognized as a chronic disease by most health organizations. Yet it seems that our society, and our views on those who carry excess weight, still have a lot of catching up to do — including many e m p l o y e r s a n d h e a l t h - c a r e practitioners. These biases are also Sources: Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace; Ipsos F O C U S O N : B E N E F I T S Obesity is associated with a number of health conditions or morbidities: y Type 2 diabetes y asthma y gallbladder disease y osteoarthritis y chronic back pain y cancer (colorectal, kidney, breast, endometrial, ovarian and pancreatic) y cardiovascular disease (hypertension, stroke, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)

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