Impact of Weight Reduction Measures on Obesity Reduction - The Case of Canada

Abstract

Obesity, and its related comorbidities, has become a pressing global health concern. This study follows an integrated approach of evaluating the health-related cost savings associated with the reduction of obesity incidence in Canada. A combination of meta-analysis and simulation using measured nationwide Body Mass Index data revealed that a reduction in calorie intake could lead to a 5% to 10% weight loss, which could result in a nontrivial health-related average savings of CAD$ 1.93 billion. This can be potentially achieved through the implementation and promotion of health-claims on low-calorie diets. Stronger economic policies such as the introduction of subsidies on healthy foods and taxes on high calorie diets could potentially lead to socially optimal calorie consumption. A combination of initiatives and regulatory policy options are also discussed, which could stimulate prosperity by reducing the obesity epidemic.

Keywords

• obesity
• prevalence
• meta-analysis
• cost of illness approach
• health-claims
• regulatory policies