Obesity in Canada surged during the pandemic, doubling the pre-pandemic rate, especially among young adults.

Obesity rates in Canada surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising faster than in the previous 11 years, especially among young adults. A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal analyzed BMI data from nearly 750,000 adults and found obesity increased by over 1 percentage point per year from 2020 to 2023, doubling the pre-pandemic rate. Factors like gym closures and increased stress were suggested as contributors to the rise.