Did you know that food insecurity in Canada is the highest it has been in nearly 20 years? Or that food insecurity contributes to rising obesity rates?
According to Health Canada, food insecurity is defined as inability to acquire or consume enough diet quantity or quality in socially acceptable ways, or the uncertainty of being able to do so. One in four Canadians live in food insecure households, equating to nearly 10 million people. But the consequences of food insecurity extend far beyond hunger: although they appear to be opposing issues, obesity (often associated with food overconsumption) and food insecurity (often associated with food scarcity) are closely intertwined. Food insecurity is coupled with a greater prevalence of obesity and being overweight, especially among children and adults in low-income and marginalized communities.
Food insecurity and obesity are deeply interconnected via physiological, behavioural and social mechanisms. In Canada, both adults and children living in food insecure households consume significantly more ultra-processed food and have poorer overall diet quality than those in food secure households. Limited access to affordable and nutritious food forces individuals to rely on cheaper, calorie dense, nutrient poor options, driving higher rates of obesity and associated health problems.
Chronic stress compounds these effects. The uncertainty of food insecurity elevates cortisol levels, promoting fat storage and insulin resistance, further increasing the risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In addition, irregular eating patterns, such as meal skipping followed by overeating, disrupt glucose metabolism and increase obesity risk.
Obesity, in turn, can contribute to food insecurity through multiple pathways. Individuals living with obesity often encounter discrimination in health care and the workplace, face social stigma, higher health-care costs and physical and functional limitations, all which can reduce income and limit access to nutritious food. This stigma can lead to avoidance of medical care, mental health challenges and economic instability, further deepening food insecurity.
It is no coincidence that both obesity and food insecurity hits women, children, racialized and Indigenous communities hardest.
In low-income groups, lack of access to nutritious food due to food insecurity is compounded by obesity rates that are 1.2 times more than those in higher income brackets. Among women, this disparity is even more pronounced: those living in moderately and severely food insecure households are 1.6 and 2.3 times more likely to be obese or overweight. Children under the age of 18 are most affected, making up 32.9 per cent of individuals who lived in food insecure households in 2023; the highest proportion among all age groups. These children are at greater risk of nutritional deficiencies, developmental delays and are more likely to develop either childhood onset or adulthood onset obesity. Among Black and Indigenous children, food insecurity rates are even higher, reflecting the compounding effects of racism, colonialism and poverty.
According to the Pan-Canadian Health Inequalities Data Tool, other socio-economic factors, such as lower education level, unemployment, rural residency or being part of a single parent household are similarly linked to increases in both food insecurity and obesity rates. With significant impacts on obesity rates, the rise in food insecurity further propagates these systemic inequalities. These overlapping vulnerabilities highlight the urgent need for equity-focused policies that address the root causes of both conditions together, rather than in isolation.
The financial burden of food insecurity and obesity snowballs through health care and the workforce, draining the systems and hindering national growth. The combined effects significantly increase the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, depression and anxiety. This leads to increased hospital visits, longer stays and higher treatment costs, placing a growing strain on the health-care system.
Compared to those who are secure, a person with food insecurity has 26 to 69 per cent higher odds of hospital admission, incurring around $400 to $565 more per person per year in acute health care costs. Meanwhile, the cost of inaction in treating obesity in Canada reached $27.6 billion due to increased demand for medications, surgeries and long-term care.
A person with food insecurity incurs around $400 to $565 more per person per year in acute health care costs.
Food insecurity and obesity may cause significant impacts on the workforce, both short-term and long-term. Adults with food insecurity may struggle with concentration, fatigue, weakened immunity or chronic illnesses, leading to absenteeism, hospitalizations and reduced productivity.
Consequences are even more damaging when food insecurity starts in childhood. These children are more likely to experience developmental and learning challenges that will limit future economic contribution to the society.
Investing in multisectoral programs that address both food insecurity and obesity can generate significant economic returns. Evidence shows that programs targeting food insecurity yield an average return of 85 per cent. Similarly, interventions focused on preventing and managing obesity can deliver a return of investment of up to $16 for every $1 invested.
For example, “Fruit and Veg on Prescription,” a pilot program launched in London, provided fresh produce vouchers alongside nutrition, cooking and budgeting support. By making healthy produce affordable, the program helped 75 per cent of participants lose or maintain a healthy weight, cutting primary care hospital visits and injecting £222,000 into local markets – a compelling example of health, equity and local economic gains.
Integrating such approaches into a comprehensive, coordinated national strategy has the potential to produce even greater benefits. By tackling food insecurity and obesity together, Canada can reduce future health expenditures, strengthen workforce productivity and drive sustainable economic growth while improving the health and resilience of its population.
Addressing food insecurity and obesity together requires a multi-layered, long-term strategy.
- Expand school-based nutrition and health programs. In April 2024, Canada introduced the National School Food Policy, developed with all the provinces and territories to address the urgent need for a coordinated national approach. Backed with investments of $1 billion over five years, the policy seeks to improve academic performance, establish lifelong healthy habits, promote healthy equity and improve the economy. While this initiative directly addresses childhood food insecurity, it places limited focus on obesity prevention and lacks a clear framework to address the systemic inequalities that drive both. Strengthening the program with explicit goals such as routine health monitoring, nutrition education tied to obesity prevention and equity focus strategies prioritizing racialized, indigenous, and low-income communities would enhance its impact.
- Support community-led food initiatives. Community and school gardens, farmers’ markets, community kitchens and culturally inclusive workshops help underserved populations better understand food and make healthier choices in the realities of their local resources and food environments.
- Strengthen access to healthy, affordable foods. Improving access to healthy food retail is critical to addressing food insecurity and obesity. Promoting sustainable food practices in agriculture and local food systems and removing barriers that limit access to nutritious and affordable food such as unequal food distribution, inadequate transportation infrastructure and regulatory gaps ensure all communities benefit from a healthier, more resilient food system.
- Implement public education and media literacy campaigns. Launch nationwide initiatives to improve health and nutrition knowledge, counter misleading food marketing and empower Canadians to make informed, evidence-based choices will help prevent both food insecurity and obesity.
Addressing food insecurity not only helps to reduce obesity but also is essential for Canada’s long-term health and economic growth.
This article has been updated.
