{"id":1266,"date":"2022-07-20T19:13:48","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T19:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdhf.staging.not4prod.com\/?p=1266"},"modified":"2026-04-17T17:15:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:15:38","slug":"world-digestive-health-day-obesity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/world-digestive-health-day-obesity\/","title":{"rendered":"World Digestive Health Day: Obesity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know May 29th<\/sup> is World Digestive Health Day? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong> The goal for World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) 2021 is to raise awareness of obesity and its management.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s population with equally devastating but not as dramatic effects as COVID, which is why it\u2019s this year\u2019s focus for WDHD.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dietitians of Canada<\/a> mentions that in Canada, chronic diseases account for approximately one third of direct health care costs.1 <\/sup>The Canadian population is aging,2<\/sup> faces high rates of obesity,3,4<\/sup> and engages in sedentary lifestyle behaviours.5,6<\/sup>Thus 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t short-term dietary changes; it\u2019s about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to healthy eating, CDHF is aligned with Canada\u2019s Food Guide<\/a>, and always recommend working with a registered dietitian when you have specific dietary requirements like a lot of the digestive conditions<\/a> we cover do.<\/p>\n\n\n

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