Understanding Obesity: Beyond "Eat Less, Move More"
Physical Health · Aug 5, 2026
Notice: This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Medication is prescribed at the sole discretion of the treating clinician based on individual medical eligibility.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Lisa Ma, MD, CCFP, Dipl. of ABOM, MB-EAT QI
Clinical Lead, Weight Management, TELUS Health
Clinical Lead, Weight Management, TELUS Health
If you or someone you love is living with obesity, you may have heard people say things like "it’s so simple, just eat less and move more." But modern medicine — including Canada's own clinical practice guidelines — tells a much deeper story. One rooted in science, not stigma.
Obesity Is a Medical Condition
In 2020, Obesity Canada and the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons published landmark clinical practice guidelines recognizing obesity as a complex, progressive, chronic disease. That puts it in the same category as conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma: real medical conditions that deserve real medical treatment. (1)
So why does this matter? Recognizing obesity as a chronic disease means acknowledging it is a long-term health condition that can require ongoing support and treatment. Understanding this is an important step toward better health — and toward treating people living with obesity with the dignity and respect they deserve.
This is not a rare or unusual condition. Obesity affects millions of Canadians and is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the country. Approximately 8.3 million Canadian adults—about 29% of the population—were living with obesity in 2021, and more recent data suggests that nearly one in three Canadian adults now meets the criteria for obesity. (2,3)
Why Obesity Matters
Obesity can affect much more than body weight. It can impact nearly every organ system in the body and is linked to over 200 other health conditions. Excess body fat — especially around the abdomen — can contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation and increase the risk of: (5,6)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease and stroke
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Sleep apnea
- Certain cancers
- Liver disease (MASLD or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease)
- Joint problems like osteoarthritis
- Depression and anxiety
The good news is that meaningful health improvements can occur long before someone reaches their "goal weight." Losing as little as 5-10% of body weight has been shown to improve blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and overall quality of life. (6)
Despite the very real health impacts, getting help is not always easy. Many people face challenges accessing support and treatment.
Weight Stigma Matters
One of the biggest barriers to care is stigma — the judgement and discrimination that people face because of their weight.
Many people living with obesity have spent years being told that weight is simply a matter of “eating less and moving more.” When weight loss doesn't happen—or doesn't last—we often assume it must be due to a lack of willpower or effort.
But obesity is more complex than that. Science has shown that weight is influenced by far more than simply how hard someone is trying. (8)
Weight stigma is not just hurtful — it can be harmful to health. Research shows that people who experience weight discrimination are more likely to: (7)
- Avoid healthcare or delay seeking care
- Experience depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem
- Develop unhealthy eating patterns, including emotional eating
- Experience higher levels of stress
Access to care is another challenge. Despite growing recognition of obesity as a chronic health condition, many Canadians still face barriers to treatment, including limited coverage for medications, dietitian services, behavioural support, and bariatric surgery. (2)
The good news is that effective treatments exist. The first step is moving away from blame and toward understanding the many factors that influence weight. From there, it becomes easier to identify the tools, treatments, and supports that can help.
What Influences Body Weight
Research has identified a wide range of factors that influence body weight and help explain why weight is so complex:
- Biology: Biological factors include genetics, hormones, appetite regulation, metabolism, how the body stores and uses energy, and certain medical conditions. These systems play a powerful role in hunger, fullness, and weight regulation. (1,8)
- Psychology: Our psychology influences how we think, feel and respond, as well as our habits, routines, identity, beliefs, emotions, stress, self-regulation skills, and our relationship with food and our bodies. (1)
- Environment: The environment we live in also matters. Our culture, food environment, sleep, stress, work schedules, relationships, socioeconomic circumstances, and access to healthcare can all influence weight and health. (1)
Together, these areas help explain the many influences on our ability to eat less, and move more, and manage our weight over time.
Weight is rarely shaped by a single thing—and lasting change rarely comes from a single solution. Looking at weight through this lens can shift the conversation away from blame and toward a more complete understanding of health.
A Toolbox Approach to Weight Management
Before talking about specific tools, it can be helpful to start with perspective. Weight management is not one-size-fits-all. While weight may be one measure of progress, success is about more than a number on the scale. Improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, mobility, sleep, energy, mental health, and quality of life are all meaningful signs of better health.
There are many different tools that can support weight management. The Canadian guidelines recommend a comprehensive, person-centred approach that may include: (1)
- Nutrition
- There is no single “best” diet. The most effective approach is one that supports health and can be maintained long-term.
- A Registered Dietitian can help tailor a plan to your individual needs, preferences and goals.
- Physical Activity
- Exercise supports metabolic health, preserves muscle mass, improves mood, and helps maintain weight loss.
- Canadian guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity.
- Behaviour Change
- Developing sustainable habits, improving sleep, managing stress, and building supportive routines are all foundational parts of long-term health.
- Many people also benefit from working with a counsellor to build skills and navigate the psychological aspects of weight management.
- Medications
- Weight management medications can be an effective tool for many people and are recommended when appropriate. (1,9)
- Newer prescription weight management medications have shown significant health and weight benefits in clinical studies. (9) They work best alongside healthy habits and other lifestyle strategies by reducing some of the biological challenges that make weight management difficult.
- Bariatric Surgery
- For some people with severe obesity (BMI ≥40, or ≥35 with at least one obesity-related complication), bariatric surgery remains a highly effective treatment option. (4)
Everyone's toolbox will look a little different. The most effective approach is often one that combines different tools and sources of support in a way that feels realistic, sustainable, and tailored to you.
Living with obesity can feel frustrating, especially when you've been told it's simply a matter of willpower. But science tells us otherwise. Obesity is a complex chronic health condition, and effective treatments and support are available. Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking for additional support, you deserve care that is rooted in science, free from judgment, and tailored to your needs.
Start your weight loss journey today
Programs such as the
TELUS Health MyCare Weight Management Program
can help you build a personalized toolbox, connecting you with healthcare providers, dietitians, counsellors, and evidence-based treatment options. References
- Wharton S, Lau DCW, Vallis M, et al. Obesity in adults: a clinical practice guideline. CMAJ. 2020.
- Lau DCW, Patton I, Lavji R, et al. Obesity management from the perspectives of people living with obesity in Canada: a mixed-methods study. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024.
- Anderson LN, Islam R, Sweetman A. Trends in obesity defined by body mass index among adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a repeated cross-sectional study of the 2009–2023 Canadian Community Health Surveys. CMAJ. 2025.
- Gupta N, Babyak A, Chorbajian A, et al. A cost-effectiveness analysis of behavioural, pharmacological, and surgical obesity treatments in Canada. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025.
- Sarma S, Sockalingam S, Dash S. Obesity as a multisystem disease: trends in obesity rates and obesity-related complications. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021.
- Elmaleh-Sachs A, Schwartz JL, Bramante CT, et al. Obesity management in adults: a review. JAMA. 2023.
- Puhl RM, Heuer CA. The stigma of obesity: a review and update. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2009.
- Brown A, Flint SW, Batterham RL. Pervasiveness, impact and implications of weight stigma. EClinicalMedicine. 2022.
- Pedersen SD, Manjoo P, Wharton S, et al. Canadian clinical practice guideline update on pharmacotherapy in obesity management. Can J Diabetes. 2025.
Editorial Independence & Disclosure Notice
Financial support for this article was provided from Eli Lilly Canada. This educational content was developed independently by the clinical team at TELUS Health.
