inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
get healthing in your inbox with the morning checkup and weekender newsletter!
home / obesity / diagnosed with obesity: managing stigma, treatments and support

diagnosed with obesity: managing stigma, treatments and support

although obesity is prevalent in canada, proper care and access to care for people living with the condition is significantly lacking.

by karen hawthorne
published feb 09, 2024
last updated feb 20, 2025
read time 8 minute read
join the conversation
read time 8 minute read
join the conversation
talking to your physician and care team about support options is also a great way to start actively finding resources that could benefit you. getty images
the prevalence of obesity in canada has increased dramatically over the last two decades. self-reported weight and height data from the 2022 canadian community health survey suggest that close to one in three canadians aged 18 and older were obese in 2022, up from just over one in five in 2003. the fact that it’s common, though, hasn’t made the diagnosis any easier.
obesity is a chronic and complex disease that occurs when a person’s body weight is above what is considered normal for their height. although the disease is prevalent in canada, proper care and access to care for these individuals is significantly lacking. many contributing factors are involved, such as eating habits, genetics, lack of sleep, sedentary lifestyle and certain medications. there is a common misconception that people living with obesity do so with an unhealthy diet, but that is not always the case. research has found that for some people, genes account for just 25 per cent of the predisposition to be overweight, while for others the genetic influence is as high as 70 to 80 per cent. and expecting a child while having obesity can also lead to obesity in the baby once it has been born.
obesity can be progressive and requires long-term treatment and management. when a person gets treatment but discontinues care, it can turn into a lifelong struggle.
powered by
obesity canada
story continues below
here’s how you can manage an obesity diagnosis.

understand your obesity diagnosis and risk for physical and mental impacts

obesity can affect anyone. it is a complex disease that can negatively impact your overall quality of life as well as your physical and mental health. many contributing factors and side effects are associated with obesity, with those mentioned above being some of the most common.
the disease can take a physical on your body as well, and some of the physical side effects or co-morbidities could include:
  • high blood pressure
  • heart disease
  • high cholesterol
  • liver disease
  • diabetes
  • sleep apnea
the mental health toll it takes is also heavy as it can sometimes cause:
  • low self-esteem
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • disordered eating or eating disorders
having obesity can also take a monetary toll, with costs associated with:
  • education
  • employment
  • professional development
  • weight loss programs
all of these are factored into the financial burden of the disease.
to diagnose obesity, medical providers use the body mass index (bmi) nomogram. a bmi over 30 is considered obese, although there are three classes to consider:
class 1: 30.0 to 34.9
class 2: 35.0 to 39.9
class 3: over 40
there is also a component to the bmi chart that has a risk level for developing other health problems related to the disease. level one is high risk, two is very high risk, and three is extremely high risk.
powered by
obesity matters
story continues below
while bmi is linked to increased risk for several health conditions, it doesn’t give the full picture since it provides no information about the distribution of body fat. excess body fat around the abdomen, for example, is associated with increased health risk.
results from the canadian health measures survey—which measures waist circumference as an indicator of abdominal obesity—have shown that abdominal obesity (greater than 102 cm for men or greater than 88 cm for women) increases the chance of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, even for people with a bmi in the normal or overweight categories.

overcoming the stigma of obesity that can lead to weight discrimination

many people struggling with obesity also have to contend with stigma and discrimination in the public eye. weight bias is when people have negative attitudes toward people with obesity because of misguided beliefs surrounding the disease, and weight stigma is the larger scale social stereotypes and misconceptions about people who have obesity. both can lead to unfair treatment—known as weight discrimination—when people with obesity are subjected to unfair treatment because of their weight.
story continues below
this discrimination can take many forms, including:
  • physical: harassment and/or assault against a person due to their weight
  • verbal/emotional: being insulted, teased, or rejected due to their weight
  • denial: denying healthcare to someone based on discriminatory beliefs surrounding their disease
breaking down the stigma surrounding obesity calls for education about the misconceptions and stereotypes linked to the disease. obesity canada has said that some of these misconceptions and social stereotypes are that people living with obesity are lazy, unintelligent, unsuccessful and lacking discipline or self-control.
however, this is not the case and that thinking can negatively impact a person living with obesity. they can often develop low self-esteem where they experience negative thinking or a lack of confidence, and the continuing stigma surrounding obesity does not help. for healthcare discrimination, a second opinion might be necessary if you do not feel like your medical practitioner is helping.

find obesity support and resources in your community

to learn more about obesity, there are groups dedicated to educating medical professionals, the public, and people who live with obesity and their families. these organizations are:
story continues below
  • obesity canada: an organization providing information to learn more about the disease, risk factors, potential treatment paths, and more.
  • obesity matters: an organization focusing on the health and well-being of people with obesity. there are free webinars that provide access to many top professionals in the community.
although access to care for people with obesity is not always easy, taking advantage of the supports that are available is crucial to help lead you in the right direction and get you started on a care path that is right for you.
  • ementalhealth.ca is a website that can help you find services in your area. it is not easy getting on the right track to finding help for obesity, but this can be a great start. some places require waitlists or monetary compensation, but ementalhealth.ca provides free options for those with tight financial situations.
  • the national eating disorder information centre (nedic) provides information, support, and referrals to anyone struggling with an eating disorder in canada. the public helpline is available and offers phone, email, or live chat options.
  • taking off pounds sensibly (tops) is a non-profit organization with a network of paid weight loss support groups across canada and the united states. it offers realistic tools and programs for 2022年世界杯名单猜测 and weight management.
story continues below
talking to your physician and care team about support options is also a great way to start actively finding resources that could benefit you.
mental health management during your journey through these programs is vital. counselling promotes a healthy headspace by encouraging you to learn more about the parts of your mentality that are unknown to you, shedding new light on areas where you may need extra assistance. it also allows you to formulate a positive mindset since having obesity can take a significant mental toll on those with the disease, leading to a reduced quality of life.

educate yourself on obesity treatments to improve health and quality of life

managing your disease will not only decrease the number on the scale but also improve your overall health and well-being. if left unmanaged, things can progress, leading to worsened symptoms. management strategies should be realistic and sustainable. there is no quick fix—those that do promise fast results are typically unsustainable and usually cause the weight to reappear.
what is available are long-term treatments that foster long-term results. treatment options can include:
  • modifying behaviours
  • meal replacement plans
  • pharmacotherapy
  • surgery (in extreme cases)
story continues below
        modifying your behaviours can take on many forms, including self-monitoring, increasing your daily physical activity, educating yourself on different eating patterns and where yours fit, going to support programs and meetings, and setting realistic and attainable goals for yourself, depending on where you are mentally.
        a registered dietitian can make meal replacement plans to determine how eating differently could benefit you. they can assess your dietary habits and give you a tailored plan to follow to make tangible changes in your life and your relationship with food.
        pharmacotherapy can be used for obesity if an assessment by a physician determines you are a viable candidate. only a few medications are provided in canada for obesity:
        • wegovy (glp-1 analogue): weekly injection originally designed to control blood sugar but that also led to weight loss by making people feel full
        • contrave (naltrexone/bupropion): a combination tablet that may reduce appetite and help avoid overeating
        • saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg): a once-daily shot that may reduce appetite
        • xenical (orlistat): prevents some fat calories from being absorbed in the intestines
              bariatric surgery is meant to manage obesity, but a physician must evaluate you to see if you are eligible. this last-resort option is usually suggested after attempting one or more of the treatments above. there are three types of bariatric surgery: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding.
              story continues below
              the goal of treating obesity is to improve your overall health and reduce obesity-related complications by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. this can often mean working with a physician or a team of health professionals who can help you in a way that is tailored to you.

              recognize potential barriers to obesity treatment

              getting help for obesity with the current stigma still going strong around it can be challenging, but it is not impossible. there is currently a lack of funding for this disease, which means some programs might be costly, but speaking with your physician is a step in the right direction to find a program that works for your health goals and finances. while waitlists are often a reality for many obesity programs, getting put on one is better than not seeking care at all.
              another hurdle that many people living with obesity face is the willingness to change and take steps toward healthier habits. changing habits is hard, and starting slowly into a new, healthier lifestyle is always preferable. experts agree that with determination, any bad habit can be broken.
              speaking to a physician can be difficult, especially if you feel like they do not take you seriously. if that happens to you, a second opinion on what you can do and available support is always beneficial.
              story continues below

              know that managing obesity is not always linear: make short-term goals

              everyone defines success differently, but the most important thing to look for is long-term overall health and well-being. how you define success will matter in how you want to feel. setting manageable short-term and long-term goals can keep you feeling motivated throughout the process. an example of a manageable goal would be to have more energy throughout the day or to improve your self-esteem.
              healing from the mental and physical toll obesity can take is another challenge to work through, and the journey will likely consist of cyclical changes between progress and setbacks. while feeling better physically can also mean an improved mental state, sometimes it does not.
              working on bettering your health and taking on the challenge of change can be exhausting. because of that, it’s important to be kind to yourself while going through this process.
              karen hawthorne
              karen hawthorne

              karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

              read more about the author

              comments

              postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

              you may also like
              woman wearing furry pink jacket, purple shirt and orange skirt smiling.
              canadian fashion in xxl: body positivity for all sizes
              happy young girl student biting eating healthy snack granola bar while studying in front of laptop computer
              the pros and cons of high-protein convenience foods
              the martin family: greyson, michelle, al and kayleigh (left to right).
              what it feels like: living with obesity is not something you choose, but people still blame you for it
              portrait of mother, father and son preparing and eating breakfast in the kitchen at home
              can parents help prevent childhood obesity?
              woman stretching leg and preparing to running outdoors.
              whole-body memory: how cells remember obesity and complicate weight loss
              you may also like
              woman wearing furry pink jacket, purple shirt and orange skirt smiling.
              canadian fashion in xxl: body positivity for all sizes
              happy young girl student biting eating healthy snack granola bar while studying in front of laptop computer
              the pros and cons of high-protein convenience foods
              the martin family: greyson, michelle, al and kayleigh (left to right).
              what it feels like: living with obesity is not something you choose, but people still blame you for it
              portrait of mother, father and son preparing and eating breakfast in the kitchen at home
              can parents help prevent childhood obesity?
              you may also like
              woman wearing furry pink jacket, purple shirt and orange skirt smiling.
              canadian fashion in xxl: body positivity for all sizes
              happy young girl student biting eating healthy snack granola bar while studying in front of laptop computer
              the pros and cons of high-protein convenience foods