5.2.3 The percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 through 10 who reported that they were doing something to lose weight, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014
Source: CICH graphic created using data from Freeman JG, King M and Pickett W. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) in Canada: Focus on Relationships. 2016. Using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey. 2014. Accessed April 8, 2018. http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/publications/science-research-sciences-recherches/health-behaviour-children-canada-2015-comportements-sante-jeunes/alt/health-behaviour-children-canada-2015-comportements-santé-jeunes-eng.pdf
Between 8% and 10% of Canadian boys in Grades 6 through 10 reported that they were doing something to lose weight such as dieting or exercising.
That was the case for between 9% to 23% of girls in the same grades.
More girls than boys claimed they were doing something to lose weight.
The difference between girls and boys increased considerably from Grade 6 to Grade 10.
Implications
While it may be appropriate for young people with obesity to engage in properly monitored practices to optimize their activity and nutrition related lifestyle choices, weight loss or control practices which are extreme may have a negative impact on a young person’s physical and mental health. There is also research that indicates that unhealthy weight control practices among young people is associated with weight gain in adulthood.1
1Freeman JG, King M and Pickett W. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) in Canada: Focus on Relationships. 2016. http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/publications/science-research-sciences-recherches/health-behaviour-children-canada-2015-comportements-sante-jeunes/index-eng.php