Obesity may overtake smoking as the leading actual cause of death.

According to a recently published study, “poor diet and physical inactivity may soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death.” The study authors estimate that in 2000 tobacco use caused 430,000 or 18.1 % of all deaths in the U.S. and poor diet and physical inactivity caused 400,000 or 16.6 % of all deaths that year. ⁱ

In Canada, over 3.5 million Canadians are obese (body mass index of 30 or greater). Obesity contributes significantly to the increased prevalence of hypertension, arthritis and diabetes in Canada. In fact, nearly 60 percent of Canadians with a body mass index greater than 27 have diabetes. ⁱⁱ Consequently, over the past 10 years, obesity has contributed to a 75 percent increase in death due to diabetes in Canada.
As baby-boomers age, the increased prevalence of diabetes and other age–related chronic conditions associated with obesity will have a major impact on the rising costs of health care. With an increased focus on healthy behaviors and chronic disease management, these economic and human costs can be reduced or avoided.