Child Obesity in Boys in Canada by Age (1990-2022)

Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern in Canada, and a close look at the data from 1990 to 2022 reveals how obesity prevalence has changed across different age groups. This article analyzes age-specific obesity rates among children and teenagers in Canada over the past three decades.

What Is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is commonly defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m²). High BMI in children increases the risk of health complications such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and mental health challenges.

Age Groups With the Highest Obesity Rates (2022)

• 10-year-olds recorded the highest obesity prevalence in 2022 at 16%.
• 9 and 11-year-olds followed closely at 15% each.
• Children aged 8 to 13 consistently showed elevated obesity levels, marking this range as a key focus area for public health intervention.

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Decade-by-Decade Insights

1990s: Early Signs of Growth

Obesity rates were relatively low in 1990 but started climbing steadily by the mid-1990s. Most age groups saw a 2–4% increase during the decade.

2000s: Rapid Escalation

Between 2000 and 2010, obesity rates jumped significantly, particularly for kids aged 7 to 13. By 2010, some age groups had nearly tripled in prevalence compared to 1990.

2010s–2022: Plateau and Slight Decline

Obesity rates stabilized around 2012–2015. While still high, the growth trend slowed, and some older teen groups even showed a slight decrease.

Ranking: Obesity in Boys in Canada by Age (1990-2022)

Year	5 year old	6 year old	7 year old	8 year old	9 year old	10 year old	11 year old	12 year old	13 year old	14 year old	15 year old	16 year old	17 year old	18 year old	19 year old
1990	3%	3%	4%	5%	6%	7%	7%	6%	5%	5%	4%	4%	4%	5%	5%
1991	3%	4%	5%	6%	7%	7%	7%	6%	6%	5%	5%	5%	5%	5%	5%
1992	3%	4%	5%	6%	7%	8%	7%	7%	6%	5%	5%	5%	5%	5%	5%
1993	3%	4%	5%	7%	8%	8%	8%	7%	7%	6%	5%	5%	5%	6%	6%
1994	3%	4%	6%	7%	8%	9%	9%	8%	7%	6%	6%	6%	6%	6%	6%
1995	4%	5%	6%	8%	9%	9%	9%	8%	8%	7%	6%	6%	6%	7%	7%
1996	4%	5%	7%	8%	9%	10%	10%	9%	8%	7%	7%	7%	7%	7%	7%
1997	4%	6%	7%	9%	10%	11%	10%	10%	9%	8%	7%	7%	7%	8%	8%
1998	5%	6%	8%	9%	11%	11%	11%	10%	9%	8%	8%	8%	8%	8%	8%
1999	5%	7%	8%	10%	11%	12%	12%	11%	10%	9%	8%	8%	9%	9%	9%
2000	6%	7%	9%	11%	12%	13%	13%	12%	11%	10%	9%	9%	9%	9%	10%
2001	6%	8%	10%	11%	13%	14%	13%	12%	11%	10%	10%	9%	10%	10%	10%
2002	7%	8%	10%	12%	14%	14%	14%	13%	12%	11%	10%	10%	10%	11%	11%
2003	7%	9%	11%	13%	14%	15%	15%	14%	13%	11%	11%	11%	11%	11%	11%
2004	7%	9%	11%	13%	15%	16%	15%	14%	13%	12%	11%	11%	11%	12%	12%
2005	8%	9%	12%	14%	15%	16%	16%	15%	14%	12%	12%	12%	12%	12%	12%
2006	8%	10%	12%	14%	16%	17%	16%	15%	14%	13%	12%	12%	12%	13%	13%
2007	8%	10%	12%	14%	16%	17%	17%	16%	14%	13%	12%	12%	13%	13%	13%
2008	8%	10%	13%	15%	16%	17%	17%	16%	15%	13%	13%	13%	13%	13%	13%
2009	8%	10%	13%	15%	17%	18%	17%	16%	15%	14%	13%	13%	13%	13%	14%
2010	9%	11%	13%	15%	17%	18%	17%	16%	15%	14%	13%	13%	13%	14%	14%
2011	9%	11%	13%	15%	17%	18%	17%	16%	15%	14%	13%	13%	13%	14%	14%
2012	9%	11%	13%	15%	17%	18%	17%	16%	15%	14%	13%	13%	13%	13%	14%
2013	8%	10%	13%	15%	17%	17%	17%	16%	15%	14%	13%	13%	13%	13%	14%
2014	8%	10%	13%	15%	16%	17%	17%	16%	15%	13%	13%	13%	13%	13%	13%
2015	8%	10%	12%	15%	16%	17%	17%	16%	14%	13%	12%	12%	13%	13%	13%
2016	8%	10%	12%	14%	16%	17%	17%	16%	14%	13%	12%	12%	12%	13%	13%
2017	8%	10%	12%	14%	16%	17%	16%	15%	14%	13%	12%	12%	12%	13%	13%
2018	8%	10%	12%	14%	16%	16%	16%	15%	14%	13%	12%	12%	12%	12%	13%
2019	8%	10%	12%	14%	15%	16%	16%	15%	14%	12%	12%	12%	12%	12%	13%
2020	8%	9%	12%	14%	15%	16%	16%	15%	14%	12%	12%	11%	12%	12%	12%
2021	7%	9%	11%	13%	15%	16%	16%	15%	13%	12%	11%	11%	12%	12%	12%
2022	7%	9%	11%	13%	15%	16%	15%	14%	13%	12%	11%	11%	11%	12%	12%

Source:

NCD-RisC, National Adult Body-Mass Index