For many Albertans living with obesity, the path to care has been harder than it should be. Too often, people seeking support are met with judgment, oversimplified advice, or limited options instead of care that reflects what science now tells us: Obesity is a chronic disease.
Alberta's Historic Recognition
Alberta made history as the first province in Canada to formally recognize obesity as a chronic disease. However, recognition without action is merely a statement. That recognition reflected what science and people living with obesity have long made clear: Obesity is not a personal failing. Like other chronic diseases, it requires long-term medical care, treatment, and support. For the more than one million Albertans living with obesity, the time to move from words to meaningful care is now.
Bridging the Gap Between Recognition and Care
As Primary Care Alberta and Obesity Canada advance a new memorandum of understanding focused on obesity care, the province has an opportunity to build on its leadership and move care closer to where many Albertans first ask for help. Obesity science has evolved significantly, but access to care has not kept pace. Barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support still exist, and care often remains shaped by bias and stigma rather than current evidence.
The Complexity of Obesity
Obesity is shaped by a complex interplay of biology, genetics, environment, and social factors. But in practice, obesity is reduced to a number on a scale or a BMI category. Those numbers can be part of an assessment, but they cannot tell the full story of a person's health, daily life, risks, goals, or barriers. Effective obesity care requires individualized assessment, long-term management, and access to evidence-based treatment options tailored to each person's needs.
The Persistent Problem of Stigma
Although Alberta recognizes obesity as a chronic disease, a significant gap remains between clinical guidance and what many Albertans can access. Weight bias and stigma continue to shape health-care experiences and influence clinical decision-making. People living with obesity describe feeling judged, dismissed, or blamed when seeking care. This can discourage people from accessing support, delay diagnosis and treatment, and contribute to poorer long-term health outcomes.
The Cost of Inaction
When obesity is left untreated, the impacts extend well beyond the individual. Obesity Canada's 2024 Cost of Inaction Report found that untreated obesity cost Alberta's economy $3.4 billion in 2023 alone, including $664 million in incremental costs to the health-care system and $2.8 billion in lost productivity and earnings. This reflects real pressure on families, workplaces, and the health-care system that will only grow without timely, evidence-based care.
Uneven Access Across Communities
Access also remains uneven, often depending on where people live, which health-care professional they see, or what local resources are available. Albertans in different communities may experience very different pathways to diagnosis or treatment, affecting their long-term management of the disease. To truly treat obesity as a chronic disease, Alberta must ensure equitable access to comprehensive, evidence-based care for all residents.
