Canadian Guidelines for Body Weight Classification in Adults
The Canadian Guidelines for Body Weight Classification
in Adults is an update of the weight classification system that
has been in use in Canada since 1988. The Guidelines describe a body weight
classification system used to identify health risks associated with body
weight in individuals and in populations. They are aligned with the World
Health Organization's recommendations widely adopted internationally.
The system uses two measures to indicate health risks: the body mass
index (BMI) and the waist circumference (WC). BMI is an indicator of health
risk associated with underweight and overweight, and WC is used as an
indicator of health risk associated with abdominal obesity.
The updated system applies only to Canadians age 18 years and over. It
is not intended for use with women who are pregnant or lactating.
The technical report and Quick Reference tool are intended for health
professionals, researchers and educators. Questions and Answers for Professionals
and for the Public provide more information about the Guidelines.
![Top of Page](/web/20061212015229im_/http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/images/fn-an/arrow_up.gif)
Resources
For quick determination of BMI, refer to the BMI
calculator. ![Top of Page](/web/20061212015229im_/http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/images/fn-an/arrow_up.gif)
Background
Health Canada commissioned background papers to provide the rationale
and scientific evidence to support the review and update of the weight
classification system.
A Review of
Weight Guidelines (2001)
This document provides a snapshot of weight guidelines in use at the national,
provincial/territorial, and international levels.
Should
the 1988 Canadian Guidelines for Healthy Weights be Updated? (2000)
Since the 1988 Canadian Guidelines for Healthy Weights
were produced there has been a dramatic increase in research and information
in this area. This paper considers the impact of this new information
on the 1988 guidelines.
The Guidelines were developed by Health Canada with guidance from an
Expert Working Group consisting of Canadian researchers and practitioners
with relevant expertise. Visit Appendix
7.2 of the technical report for the list of members of the Expert
Working Group. A consultation with key stakeholders in the fall of 2002
provided valuable feedback and further enhanced the development of the
report.
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