Body Mass Index (BMI) Background The purpose of this health indicator report is to provide information about Body Mass Index (BMI) among adults aged 18 and over living in Halton Region. BMI is a simple, surrogate measure of body fatness. 1 BMI measures a person s excess body weight using a weight-toheight ratio. 2 Research has shown that BMI is highly correlated with body fat, however factors such as age, sex, ethnicity and muscle mass can influence the relationship between BMI and body fat. 1 In general, adults with a high BMI (overweight or obese) have a high percentage of body fat, and adults with a low BMI (underweight) have a low percentage of body fat. 1 The further away a person s BMI is from the normal range, the greater the risk of negative health effects. 1 Negative health effects associated with being overweight or obese include an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease and certain cancers. 1 Negative health effects associated with being underweight include an increased risk of osteoporosis, under nutrition, infertility and compromised immune function. 1 This Health Indicator Report uses data from the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System. Trends Over Time In 2014, 43% of Halton adults reported being normal weight, 37% overweight and 19% obese. The percentage of adults who reported being underweight was not reportable. From 2001 to 2013 (2014 data was not reportable) there were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of Halton adults who reported being underweight. From 2001 to 2014 the percentage of Halton adults who reported being a normal weight decreased from 47% to 43% and this decrease was statistically significant. From 2001 to 2014 there were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of Halton adults who reported being overweight. From 2001 to 2014 the percentage of Halton adults who reported being obese increased from 12% to 19% and this increase was statistically significant. underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese, Halton Region, 2001-2014
Overweight and Obese Combined Sex In 2014, Halton males were more likely than females to report being overweight or obese (combined), and this difference was statistically significant. Age differences by age in the percentage of Halton adults who reported being overweight or obese (combined). overweight or obese (combined), by sex, Halton Region, 2014 Municipality In 2014, Oakville adults were less likely than adults in all other municipalities to report being overweight or obese (combined). This difference was statistically significant when comparing Oakville to Halton Hills. From 2001 to 2014 the percentage of Halton adults who reported being overweight or obese (combined) has almost always been lower in Oakville compared to all other municipalities. However, the statistical significance has varied year to year when comparing Oakville to the other municipalities. ǂ overweight or obese (combined), by age, Halton Region, 2014 Income In 2014, Halton adults in the low income group were more likely to report being overweight or obese (combined), followed by the high income group and the middle income group. This difference was statistically significant when comparing adults in the low income group to adults in the middle income group. overweight or obese (combined), by municipality, Halton Region, 2014 overweight or obese (combined), by income, Halton Region, 2014
Education differences by education in the percentage of Halton adults aged 25 and over who reported being overweight or obese (combined). Percentage of adults aged 25 and over who reported being overweight or obese (combined), by education, Halton Region, 2014 Overweight Sex In 2014, Halton males were more likely than females to report being overweight, and this difference was statistically significant. Age In 2014, the percentage of Halton adults who reported being overweight increased with age, however this difference was not statistically significant. overweight, by sex, Halton Region, 2014 overweight, by age, Halton Region, 2014
Municipality differences by municipality in the percentage of Halton adults who reported being overweight. Income In 2014, the percentage of Halton adults who reported being overweight increased with income, however this difference was not statistically significant. overweight, by municipality, Halton Region, 2014 overweight, by income, Halton Region, 2014 Education differences by education in the percentage of Halton adults aged 25 and over who reported being overweight. Percentage of adults aged 25 and over who reported being overweight, by education, Halton Region, 2014
Obese Sex Age In 2014, Halton males were more likely than females to report being obese, and this difference was statistically significant. In 2014, the percentage of Halton adults who reported being obese decreased with age, however this difference was not statistically significant. obese, by sex, Halton Region, 2014 obese, by age, Halton Region, 2014 Municipality differences by municipality in the percentage of Halton adults who reported being obese. Income In 2014, the percentage of Halton adults in the low income group were more likely to report being obese followed by the high income group and the middle income group. This difference was statistically significant when comparing adults in the low income group to adults in the middle income group. obese, by municipality, Halton Region, 2014 obese, by income, Halton Region, 2014
Education Data Notes In 2014, Halton adults aged 25 and over who were not post-secondary graduates were more likely to report being obese compared to adults who were post-secondary graduates. This difference was statistically significant. For more information on RRFSS, methods, statistical significance and limitations associated with health indicator reports, please see the Data Notes and Guide available at www.halton.ca/healthstats Definitions: BMI was calculated using self-reported height and weight (BMI=weight (kg)/height 2 (m)). Underweight refers to a BMI less than 18.5. Normal weight refers to BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Overweight refers to a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9. Obese refers to a BMI of 30.0 or greater. Data Source: Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System [2001 2013, Apr-Dec 2014], Halton Region Health Department and Institute for Social Research, York University. Estimates marked with an asterisk (*) should be interpreted with caution due to high variability. Estimates marked with a double asterisk (**) are not reportable. ǂ Statistically significant trends have varied over the years likely as a result of small sample sizes when broken down by municipality. References Percentage of adults aged 25 and over who reported being obese, by education, Halton Region, 2014 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Body Mass Index: Considerations for Practitioners. Retrieved May 2015 from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/bmiforpactitioners.pdf 2. Health Canada. 2003. Canadian Guidelines for Body Weight Classification in Adults. Retrieved May 2015 from http://hcsc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/weights-poids/guide-ld-adult/index-eng.php For more health indicator and health status reports, visit the Halton Health Statistics website at www.halton.ca/healthstats Last Revised: August 18th, 2015 Expected Update: 2016