Off-reserve Natives more likely to be overweight

Thursday, January 24, 2008  

Natives who live off reserves are two and a half times more likely to be overweight than non-Natives, according to a new report from Statistics Canada.

Based on data from 2004, 67 percent of off-reserve Natives were overweight or obese. In comparison, 55 percent of non-Natives were overweight or obese.

The greatest disparity was seen among women. According to the report, 64 percent of off-reserve Native women were overweight or obese, compared to 47 percent of non-Natives.

A majority of off-reserve Natives and non-Natives said they were "inactive." But of inactive Canadians, off-reserve Natives were more likely to be obese than non-Natives.

Being overweight or obese can contribute to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis.

Get the Story:
Higher obesity rates found in off-reserve aboriginal people: study (CBC 1/23)

Get the Study:
Summary | Full

Relevant Links:
Statistics Canada - http://www.statcan.ca

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