CANADIANS FAT AND CONFUSED, SAYS SURVEY
By Adnews Staff
Fifty-one percent of Canadians are overweight, according to the Canadian National Obesity Survey, the results of which were released yesterday. Moreover, 52% of Canadians think obesity has little or no effect on overall health, despite the fact that 17% of overweight respondants reported having high blood pressure, 12% high cholesterol and 6% type 2 diabetes. Seventy percent of participants reported being satisfied with their weight. The region with the highest percentage of hefty people, 61%, is Atlantic Canada. Perhaps not surprisingly, Atlantic Canada is also the region where organized weight loss programs are most popular. Canadians in general seem to be confused about what constitutes healthy eating. Even though 80% said they are trying to limit the fat they eat, over one-third did not know how much fat the average diet should contain. Almost half found it difficult to calculate the fat content of food. Also, half of respondants admitted they don't follow the recomendations of the Canada Food Guide, even though 70% are familiar with them. The survey, which was conducted by research firm Pollara on behalf of pharmaceutical manufacturer Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Roche Canada), consisted of telephone interviews with 1,300 Canadians.