Goan Voice, Canada : Health & Wellness

Study sounds new obesity alert
Kids growing up in 'toxic environment' of inactivity and junk food
GREG BONNELL-CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA - Canada's health care system is headed for double jeopardy as overweight young Canadians and aging baby boomers with weight problems threaten to place a heavy burden on already strained services, a new report says.
The 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey says 19.5 per cent of young Canadians are overweight and 7.8 per cent obese.
And the generation including baby boomers is also tipping the scales at 37.9 per cent overweight and 18.5 per cent obese, the study released today shows.
In addition to health problems inherent in an aging population, experts say, the system will have to contend with a generation of young people developing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension much earlier in life.