Weight Loss Leads 2026 Health Goals as People Turn to Search, Social, and AI, According to a Phoenix Survey
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
As Canadians set their health goals for 2026, new polling from Phoenix shows weight loss remains the dominant priority, and how people are seeking support reveals as much about access gaps as it does about changing attitudes toward care.
Based on responses from more than 1,500 adult Canadians, the survey found that 68 percent are prioritizing weight loss in 2026, far outpacing other personal care goals. Reversing signs of aging ranked second at 39 percent, followed by reducing or reversing hair thinning or balding at 26 percent. Women are even more focused on these goals, with 70 percent prioritizing weight loss compared to 65 percent of men, and nearly one in three women identifying hair thinning or balding as a concern.
Where Canadians turn for weight loss guidance is shifting. About one in four say a search engine will be their first source of information for weight loss advice, roughly the same share that would book an in person doctor’s appointment. For other concerns, the gap widens. Only 18 percent would see a doctor first for hair loss, and just 14 percent for anti aging support, suggesting many people are managing these goals outside the traditional healthcare system.
Social media plays a growing role, particularly for younger Canadians. Gen Z is the most likely generation to rely on social platforms first, with around 12 percent turning to social media for weight loss and anti aging information. Women are also more influenced by social media than men, with 16 percent citing it as their first source of information for personal care goals, compared to 9 percent of men.
Trust in artificial intelligence reflects a similar pattern. Only 9 percent of Canadians would turn to AI as their first source of information for weight loss, yet confidence increases when it comes to execution. Thirty seven percent trust AI to recommend weight loss strategies, while 44 percent trust it to calculate daily calorie intake, 41 percent to create meal plans, and 39 percent to build fitness routines to support weight loss.
Phoenix cautions that speed and convenience can come with risks. Dr. Mark Broussenko, Medical Director at Phoenix, notes that while search engines, social media, and AI offer easy access to information, they lack the accountability and clinical insight of a physician, who can ask the right questions and tailor guidance accordingly.
The survey also highlights why many Canadians bypass doctors altogether. Thirty eight percent say they do not view health and wellness goals as sufficient reason to book an appointment, while 27 percent point to long wait times. Younger generations are more deterred by access delays, while older Canadians are more likely to downplay the need for an in person visit.
Women’s health emerges as a key theme heading into 2026. Earlier this year, Phoenix launched Raven, a digital care platform designed to improve access to trusted medical support for women. The data reinforces that women are more actively pursuing weight loss and aesthetic health goals, while also navigating information through social and digital channels.
As weight loss continues to dominate New Year’s resolutions, the findings suggest Canadians are increasingly relying on digital tools to guide their decisions, even as they look for credible, personalized care that fits into modern lifestyles.
