Less than four in 10 Canadians at their ideal weight
A new study suggests that the fitness levels of Canadian youth and adults has declined significantly since the early 80’s. The Canadian Health Measures Survey compared direct physical measurements, such as body measurements, cardio-respiratory fitness, musculoskeletal fitness, and blood pressure to reach their conclusions. Researchers found a dramatic decrease in fitness levels, especially for adults aged 20-39. They also found less than 38% of adults are at a healthy weight, while about 1% are underweight, 37% are overweight, and 24% are obese. On a more positive note, more than 90% of Canadian adults have acceptable blood pressure, defined as less than 140/90.