World Digestive Health Day: Obesity

CDHF

Written by: CDHF

Updated: November 30th, 2022

Did you know May 29th is World Digestive Health Day? 

Every year, the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) initiatives a yearlong, worldwide, public health campaign with focus on a particular digestive disease and/or disorder in order to increase general public awareness of prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management and treatment of the disease/and or disorder. The theme for World Digestive Health Day 2021 is titled: Obesity: An Ongoing Pandemic. The goal for World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) 2021 is to raise awareness of obesity and its management.  

2020 was a very challenging year, and 2021 has presented its own challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the ongoing pandemic of obesity impacts the world’s population with equally devastating but not as dramatic effects as COVID, which is why it’s this year’s focus for WDHD.  

Dietitians of Canada mentions that in Canada, chronic diseases account for approximately one third of direct health care costs.The Canadian population is aging,2 faces high rates of obesity,3,4 and engages in sedentary lifestyle behaviours.5,6Thus the impact of chronic diseases is likely to continue to increase, unless we take action to address the many factors that influence what we eat. For example, the food and beverages we have at home, in retail food stores, and restaurants can have a big impact on what we eat and drink.

Not only does the food environment influence what we eat, but food marketing bombards us with an overload of messages on healthy eating. Food marketing is rapidly evolving, and now includes channels such as social media. This can make it hard for Canadians to make healthy eating choices. Throughout the month of May we will be sharing science-based, trusted resources on heathy eating, and outline some of our favourites below to help you navigate through the information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that knowing your body mass index (BMI), achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular physical activity are all actions you can take for yourself to combat obesity. The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn’t short-term dietary changes; it’s about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.

When it comes to healthy eating, CDHF is aligned with Canada’s Food Guide, and always recommend working with a registered dietitian when you have specific dietary requirements like a lot of the digestive conditions we cover do.

It’s important to understand that the Canada’s food guide plate is a visual tool to help support a healthy pattern of eating. Healthy eating can look different for everyone.

The Canada’s Food guide encourages everyone to enjoy their food and make choices that reflect their personal preferences, culture and traditions, budget, life stage and lifestyle. It also recommends cooking more often, allowing people to make foods and choose ingredients that they like and that work for them and their families.

Health Canada recommends that individuals with specific dietary requirements should seek additional guidance or specialized dietary advice from a registered dietitian – which CDHF always recommends.

Resources to check out: 


References:

1. Public Health Agency of Canada. How healthy are Canadians? A trend analysis of the health of Canadians from a healthy eating and chronic disease perspective [Internet]. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada; 2016 [cited 2018 Sep 14].

2. Statistics Canada. Age and sex, and type of dwelling data: key results from the 2016 census [Internet]. Ottawa: Statistics Canada; 2017 [cited 2018 Sep 14].

3. Statistics Canada. Body composition of adults, 2012 to 2013 [Internet]. Ottawa: Statistics Canada; 2014 [cited 2018 Sep 14]. 19. Rao DP, Kropac E, Do MT, Roberts KC, Jayaram

4. Rao DP, Kropac E, Do MT, Roberts KC, Jayaraman GC. Childhood overweight and obesity trends in Canada. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2016;36(9):194–198.

5. Statistics Canada. Directly measured physical activity of children and youth, 2012 and 2013 [Internet]. Ottawa: Statistics Canada; 2015 [cited 2018 Sep 14].

6. Statistics Canada. Directly measured physical activity of adults, 2012 and 2013 [Internet]. Ottawa: Statistics Canada; 2015 [cited 2018 Sep 14].

7. Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide.” Health Canada, Government of Canada, 1 April 2021 https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/healthy-eating-recommendations/

Related Articles:

View all News & Articles

cdhf talks supporting the immune system for back to school

CDHF Talks: Supporting your Child’s Immune System for Back to School

Acne and Digestive Health

turmeric

Benefits of Turmeric

man eating processed foods

What are Processed and Ultra-Processed Foods?

hockey face-off

Nutrition Guide for Athletes

rise cycling event banner

RISEUp for Digestive Diseases Event

WDHD Banner

World Digestive Health Day: A Healthy Gut

low fodmap vegetarian meal

Plant-Based Eating & the FODMAP Diet

woman eating functional foods

Functional Foods: The Power of Probiotics

parent and child discussing kids nutrition

Nutrition Tips for Children

digestive health microbes

Why Should We Care About Our Digestive Health?

Young female doctor consulting an elderly patient in her office on a low-residue diet

Low Residue Diet: What is it and Who is it for?

coffee beans in mug

Is Coffee Bad for Digestion?

fast food stacked on table

Low FODMAP Fast-Food Meals

bowel model and fresh fruit

How to Aid Healthy Digestion

Gifts for Guts

man on grey background with puzzle pieces surrounding head

The Link Between the Gut and Mental Health 

low fodmap diet on a phone

Understanding the low FODMAP Diet

Women speaking online on computer with a registered dietitian

Online Nutrition Courses from Registered Dietitians

Family eating healthy meal

Family Friendly Snack Ideas

Yoga for Digestion

5 Strategies for Living Gluten-Free

salad with apple beets and chickpeas

Increase Your Fibre Intake

Types of Berries

The Power of Berries- Colourful and Kick-Ass Nutrition

Porrdge

Creamy, High Protein Breakfast Porridge

Bowl of Slaw

Crack Slaw Stir-fry

Grocery shopping with list

Make your Weekly Grocery Shop a Breeze: Amanda’s Top 5 Tips

Peppermint

Peppermint Fixes More Than Just Bad Breath

Spoons full of different prebiotics

Gut Health and Prebiotics

Family smiling into camera

5 Nutrition Tips for You and Your Family this Summer

Does Hot Weather Affect Digestion?

Women looking at labels in the grocer store

Understanding Fibre Nutrition Claims

Beginning frame of Understanding Fibre Animation

Understanding Fibre Animation

Fibre Benefits

Fibre & Its Benefits

Hand squeezing a grapefruit

Diets Used for IBS

friends smiling in kitchen

7 Day Gluten-Free Diet Plan

Women and male bathroom stall

Managing your Digestive Health in the Workplace Webinar

Taking a photo of food

Diet & Lifestyle Changes for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Cutting up meat and vegetables in the kitchen

Eating for 1 Trillion

Women laughing in yoga pose

Wait… My Gut Affects My Mental Health?

heart shaped bowls filled with fruits

10 Ways to Strengthen Your Microbiome

Kefir

What is Kefir and is it Good for You?

Women holding a salad

Busting Gut Health Buzz Words

Exercising and drinking water

Trying to Eat Healthier? Make it a Habit!

Bowl of healthy salad and tofu

Mental Health and Nutrition

Turkey pesto meatballs

Turkey Pesto Meatballs

Person on computer at home working

Staying Healthy at Home!

Man drinking water

Pre and Post Surgery Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies to Optimize your Recovery

Brown bag of groceries spilling out of bag

How to Manage Stress Eating and Snack Smart at Home

Drinking water side eye pink background

The Importance of Staying Hydrated: General Hydration and Virus Recovery

Egg and leeks

How to Stay Fuller Longer

Pregnant women in pink shirt smiling down at stonach

Prenatal Health and Your Baby

woman comforting elderly man

Preventing GI Disorders in Adults and the Elderly

Candy

Trick or Treating Safely with Digestive Conditions

CDHF Talks: The Role of Nutrition/Diet in a Healthy Gut Microbiota

Bone broth

Is Bone Broth Healthy?

Leafy greens on purple background

Gut Bacteria and Leafy Greens

CDHF Partners with Metro and their Wellness Program Catered to Digestive Health Issues

World Digestive Health Day: Obesity

Person grocery cart shopping

Help with Choosing Healthy Grocery Products

Senior and adult cooking in the kitchen

Diet & Nutrition Tips for Seniors and their Caregivers

Dietary Fibre vs Prebiotics: Animation

CDHF Talks: Protein and Fibre

peaches

Tips for Eating Well with Rising Food Costs

man holding takeout box and clutching stomach

What is a Food Intolerance?

meal planning sheet

Two Day Meal Plan with Lactose Intolerance

nutrition plan for immune system and gut health

How Nutrition Can Support Gut Health and the Immune System

Common food allergies o blue background

What is a Food Allergy?

The Power of Oats: Can They Play a Role in the Gluten Free Diet?

Feeding your Microbiota Fibre, Prebiotics, and Probiotics

Women drinking wine with pink microbe background

Alcohol and IBS

Digestive Health 101 Webinar

healthy foods

Diet & Lifestyle Changes for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Clipboard that says diet plan surrounded by healthy smoothies and vegetables

Diet Plan for Gastroparesis

healthy food at dinner table

Nutrition Tips for Aging Well

Astro yogurt on a kitchen counter

Lactalis Canada Introduces Astro® PROTEIN & FIBRE Yogourt

The Cultured Coconut bottle on a kitchen counter

The Cultured Coconut – CDHF Certified Product

apples and a bottle of apple cider vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar for Digestion. What’s the Deal?