Overweight and Obesity

Sugars and Obesity:

• There are many risk factors for developing obesity, including dietary patterns, level of physical activity, environment, sleep patterns, stress, and genetics (1).
• Eating too many calories from all sources - sugars, starches, fats, proteins, alcohol - can contribute to weight gain as calories in excess of energy needs are stored as fat (2).
• When sugars are consumed beyond energy needs, research suggests that the dietary sources of sugars are important in addition to providing extra calories (3). For example, getting excess calories from sugars-sweetened beverages is more often associated with obesity.
• Based on market availability data, there has been a declining trend in added sugars intake in Canada over the past 10 years. At the same time, rates of obesity continue to rise.

Factors Associated with Body Weight and Obesity: 

• Diet is just one factor that may increase obesity risk. Getting enough sleep and incorporating physical activity into your day can also help maintain a healthy weight.
• Other factors that play a role in managing weight include your relationship with food, food affordability, culture, and eating behaviours.
• Energy balance is key. You may experience weight gain when you consume more energy from food than you use to perform normal body functions, daily movement, and physical activity.
• Dietary suggestions for maintaining a healthy weight include:
  • Choosing a variety of nutrient dense foods more often.
  • Moderating portion sizes of foods and snacks to manage the number of calories you consume.
  • Choosing water more often and enjoying sugars-sweetened beverages occasionally (4).

To learn more about sugars and weight, visit our Sugars and Health webpage Sugars and Overweight and Obesity, or download our resources:

• Fact Sheet – Frequently Asked Questions: Sugars and Obesity
• Infographic – Energy Balance and Body Weight
• Clips on Sugars - Balancing Food and Activity for Healthy Weights 
• Clips on Sugars - Calories and Body Weight

References:

1. World Health Organization. Overweight and Obesity. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
2. Te Morenga L, et al. Dietary sugars and body weight: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and cohort studies. BMJ. 2012 Jan;346:e7492.
3. Chiavaroli L, et al. Important food sources of fructose-containing sugars and adiposity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled feeding trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2023; 117(4):741-65.
4. Heart and Stroke. Achieving and Maintaining a Healthy Weight. https://www.heartandstroke.ca/healthy-living/healthy-weight/maintaining-a-healthy-weight