One in Three Canadian Adults Now Obese as Post-Pandemic Rates Climb, New Study
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows a sharp rise in obesity across Canada, with rates accelerating significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For fitness industry leaders, the data is both a wake-up call and a strategic signal.
Researchers analyzed self-reported height and weight data from more than 746,000 adults between 2009 and 2023. In 2009, just under 25 percent of Canadian adults were classified as obese. By 2023, that number had climbed to 32.7 percent, representing more than 10 million people. The rate of increase nearly doubled during the pandemic years. Prior to COVID-19, obesity rates were growing by about half a percentage point per year. Between 2020 and 2023, they jumped by more than one percentage point annually.
Even more concerning is the shift toward more severe forms of obesity. Class II and Class III obesity saw the biggest increases, especially among women and young adults. Historically, these groups had lower prevalence rates, but that gap narrowed quickly during the pandemic. In 2023, obesity rates among men and women were nearly equal, with women experiencing a steeper climb.
The rise comes alongside well-known pandemic-era stressors. Public health restrictions, reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behavior, and greater levels of stress and food insecurity likely contributed to weight gain across the population. These social determinants of health did not affect everyone equally. Younger adults, women, and racialized groups were disproportionately impacted.
This data should resonate strongly with the fitness business community. While the sector has long positioned itself as a preventive health partner, this shift in obesity prevalence signals a growing need for operators to tailor solutions to meet a broader set of needs. That includes supporting individuals with severe obesity and expanding accessibility across demographics that may have previously felt excluded.
It also arrives at a time when GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy are entering the mainstream. While originally developed for diabetes management, these drugs are now widely prescribed for weight loss. For fitness professionals, this brings both opportunities and responsibilities. Muscle loss is a documented side effect of rapid weight loss from GLP-1 use. As a result, gyms and fitness brands are beginning to position themselves as essential partners in helping members retain lean muscle mass and build sustainable movement habits while on these medications.
Obesity is a complex, chronic condition that cannot be addressed with a single solution. The CMAJ study highlights the need for coordinated, long-term approaches that consider a broad range of health, behavioral, and environmental factors. For fitness operators and industry decision-makers, understanding these population-level trends is critical for informing program development, resource planning, and future partnerships across the health and wellness ecosystem.
The full study, titled “Trends in BMI-defined obesity among adults in Canada, 2009 to 2023,” is available via the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
