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Obesity rising among Canadian adults New data from Statistics Canada reveals a significant rise in obesity among Canadian adults since the COVID-19 pandemic. The results are based on the data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey. Data shows, between 2022 and 2024, 68 per cent of adults aged 18 to 79 were classified as overweight or living with obesity. That’s up from 60 per cent in the years before the pandemic. Obesity alone jumped from 25 per cent to 33 per cent, with young adults showing the most dramatic increases. The report emphasizes how being overweight, as well as obesity and abdominal obesity are all linked to a higher likelihood of developing serious conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and certain cancers. The rates of excess weight among children and young people remains stable. However, the report says the data is still concerning, noting that “… monitoring overweight and obesity from early childhood is important because excess weight is linked to physical and mental health challenges during childhood and often persists into adulthood.” Public health officials say it’s important to track these statistics to better plan prevention and treatment strategies. Watch here for more. 
Premature baby dies from measles in Alberta An infant in Alberta has died from the measles as cases creep close to 2,000 throughout the province, according to the government's dashboard.  It's Alberta's first death since the most contagious virus on earth made a resurgence in Canada.
A child, born prematurely after the mother contracted measles during pregnancy, died shortly after birth, the province said on Thursday. "Since measles cases were first reported in Alberta this spring, I had hoped this moment would not come," said Health Minister Adriana LaGrange in a statement to Global News. It's not known where in Alberta the baby was born and died, or when. The province said children under five, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest risks from measles. Measles during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, including miscarriage, preterm labour, stillbirth and congenital infection. A similar tragedy occurred in Ontario back in June, when a premature infant died after being born infected with the highly contagious virus through its mother. Read more to learn about the ongoing case counts, and how to people can protect themselves during pregnancy. 
— THE TOPIC — Flu shots … who should be rolling up their sleeves? Flu shots are now available to seniors, long-term care residents, front line workers and hospitalized patients in Ontario. The vaccines are part of a multi-pronged campaign to battle the upcoming respiratory virus season. "As we head into respiratory illness season, our government is using every tool in our toolbox to protect our communities, families and our most vulnerable," said Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and Ontario health minister, in a media release. "Working with our health-care partners, we are making sure flu, COVID-19 and RSV immunizations are available close to home, where and when they are needed." Vaccination will open to everyone else in Ontario aged six months and older on Oct. 27. Most other provinces and territories are expected to begin their flu shot programs in mid-October. Doctors say the flu vaccine helps prepare the immune system to recognize and fight the virus should it appear. Dr. Jesse Papenburg, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical microbiologist at the Montreal Children's Hospital, said the vaccine reduces the need for a visit to the doctor or hospitalization by about half. Papenburg was a co-lead author of a recent study that looked at people aged 16 and younger who were hospitalized or died from influenza in Canada between 2004 and 2022. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization in Canada recommends all individuals six months of age and older receive an authorized, age-appropriate seasonal influenza vaccine. Read more to learn more about how young children can be affected by the flu and the associated risks. | 
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