The Vancouver suburb of Richmond has the lowest rate of obesity in Canada, according to a new study, which found that the rest of the country is only getting fatter.
A joint report from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that only 5.3 per cent of Richmond's population is obese, compared to a nationwide average of about one-quarter.
The study identified a number of determinants associated with obesity, including physical activity, diet and ethnicity.
The federal report says that access to recreational facilities and food retail outlets and the price of nutritious foods can have an association with obesity.
Officials at the City of Richmond say they've made a strong commitment to promoting health and wellness.
"One of our main focuses is to try to get, not only our staff, but also the community as physically active as we can," said Alyson Denise, corporate wellness coordinator for the City of Richmond.
Access to clean air and green spaces has played a role in attracting some people to Richmond.
"That was one of the reasons I moved here, the chance to walk on the dike and be outside," said Jill Medica, a resident of Richmond.
The city is battling physical inactivity with programs like "Walk Richmond." In partnership with the Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association, this project encourages people to explore the city's dikes and trails in order to have a more active lifestyle.
The city's Garratt Wellness Centre offers specialized activity programs for diabetes, heart wellness and weight loss.
"With the obesity rates coming in as they've had, it tells us that some of our strategies are working," Denise said.
But obesity rates across much of the rest of the country tell a very different story.
Not only has the prevalence of obesity increased over time in Canada, but obesity is becoming more severe and fitness levels are decreasing, according to the national report.
The study found that obesity rates range widely across the county, from lows in Richmond and Vancouver (6.2 per cent) to highs of 32.1 per cent in Kings County, Prince Edward Island, and 35.9 per cent in the Mamawetan/Keewatin/Athabasca region of Saskatchewan.
"Not surprisingly, this report shows that improving lifestyle behaviours, such as healthy eating and physical activity, can have a significant impact on reducing the waistlines and improving the health of Canadians. However, obesity is complex, and there are many other factors that contribute beyond lifestyle habits," said CIHI researcher Jeremy Veillard.
According to the report, obesity greatly increases the risk of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and some forms of cancer, and about 9.3 per cent of all deaths in Canada can be attributed to it.
Estimates of the economic burden of obesity in Canada range from $4.6 billion to $7.1 billion annually.
