• 57% of 20- to 64-year-old males in Canada are overweight; an additional 14% are considered obese.¹
• 35% and 12% of similar-aged females in Canada are overweight and obese respectively.¹
• Between 1981 and 1996, obesity nearly tripled in boys and more than doubled in girls.^{1, 2}
• Overweight and obesity are linked to heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, breathing problems, and psychological disorders such as depression.³
• Approximately 300,000 deaths per year in the United States are attributable to obesity, which makes obesity the leading cause of preventable death after smoking-related mortalities.^{3, 4}
• A social survey tells us that physical inactivity is decreasing among Canadians.⁵
• However, physical inactivity is still prevalent with 55% of Canadians estimated as being inactive.⁵
• 57% of adults in Canada who are 18 years of age or older are considered insufficiently active for optimal health benefits.⁵
• The majority of adults in Canada are at increased risk of chronic disease and premature death due to sedentariness.⁶
• In 1999, approximately $2.1 billion of the total direct costs to Canada’s healthcare system were attributable to physical inactivity.⁶
• A 10% reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity among the Canadian population might reduce direct healthcare expenditures by $150 million per year.⁶
• Physical activity does not have to be strenuous to achieve health benefits.⁷
• Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, lose extra pounds, help control blood pressure, lessens a diabetic's need for insulin and boosts the level of "good" HDL cholesterol.⁷
• Physical activity is associated with a 20-30% risk reduction in all causes of mortality.⁸
• Physical activity reduces the risk of lung and rectal cancer.^{9, 10}
• Furthermore, physically active men and women are at a 30-40% reduced risk of acquiring colon cancer when compared to inactive people.¹¹
• Physically active women have a 20-30% reduction in risk of breast cancer when compared to inactive women.¹¹
• Physical activity has a protective effect against breast cancer in both pre- and post-menopausal women.^{12, 13}