Why Are There No Obese Men in Canada and Why Does Nobody Care?

OK, actually there are plenty of obese men in Canada – in fact slightly more than obese women. In addition, the health risks of obese men are somewhat higher than those of obese women, if only because men tend to accumulate visceral and abdominal fat rather than deposit the excess weight on their hips and thighs.

As faithful readers may recall, I have previously discussed the differences between men and women when it comes to how they perceive their excess weight. Thus, not surprisingly, women make up well over 80% of participants in most weight loss programs, even in those that provide medical or surgical obesity management.

This topic will now be the theme of a Café Scientifique (Is Canada ignoring obesity in men?), to be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Edmonton City Hall.

The event, co-sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Health Research Institute of Gender and Health and the Canadian Obesity Network, will try to find answers to questions like the following:

If more men than women live with excess weight in Canada, why, when we hear statistics about rising obesity levels these gender trends are often overlooked. Why are men affected by obesity more than women, and why do we talk about it less? Is biology to blame? As a society, are we more willing to accept obesity in men? And are they getting the help they need?

Join moderator Mark Connolly of CBC News Edmonton and some of Canada’s top researchers and health professionals, together with a patient sharing his experience, to discuss what’s driving the issue, and what can be done about it.

Featured speakers:

Dr. Kim Raine, Professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta
Dr. Daniel Birch, Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta
J. Jacque E. Lovely, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Alberta Health Services Provincial Bariatric Resource Team
Marty Enokson, Patient and advocate

This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP: cook@obesitynetwork.ca

AMS
Philadelphia, PA