Healthy, in body and in mind
Target: healthy weight
In just 40 years, the rate of obesity and excess weight combined has risen dramatically: the percentage of Canadians who are overweight or obese has risen from 49% in 1978 to 64% in 2017.1
If nothing is done to resolve this situation, Canada’s obesity rate, alone, could reach nearly 30% by 2030.
Today, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children are obese, making them more likely to develop other health problems like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. According to a study by the Canadian Cancer Society, obesity will soon become the leading cause of cancer after smoking.
Obesity also has an impact on productivity at work (fatigue and exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, absenteeism, presenteeism, longer and more frequent breaks, etc.).
Obesity, a chronic illness caused by a variety of factors2
Several organizations, including the World Health Organization, the Canadian Medical Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, consider obesity to be a chronic illness caused by a variety of factors that vary from one person to the next. These factors include:
- environment
- genetics
- emotional health
- stress
- sedentary lifestyle
- eating habits
- lack of sleep
- hormonal changes and some illnesses
- side effects from medications
There’s still a great deal of stigma associated with this complex disease, which requires long-term management and interdisciplinary care.
The key to success: A multifaceted approach
Clinically speaking, a weight loss of 5% to 10% is enough to provide a significant health benefit.
Changing diet, exercise and lifestyle habits3 are common ways to start treating obesity.
That’s why we are offering our clients the Healthy Weight program, a complete, customizable way to help employees manage their weight in a realistic and sustainable way.
Find out more about our Healthy Weight program
This program takes a unique approach that goes straight to the source, tackling several factors at once.
Contact your Desjardins Insurance representative to learn more.
A solution that’s constantly evolving
At Desjardins, health management is a priority. That’s why we’re always working to improve and expand the tools we offer our clients. We look forward to announcing more additions soon!
Among plan members with a chronic condition, the main things they would like to do to better manage their condition4
- Exercise, get enough physical activity
- Healthy eating
- Get enough sleep
- Lose or maintain weight
- Manage stress levels
- Alternative therapies
- Take vitamins and other supplements
- Counselling for mental or emotional health
- Take prescription medications
Obesity Canada and
Desjardins Insurance partner for the health of Canadians