Léger poll finds 80% of Quebecers support better government policies for obesity treatments
Novo Nordisk has revealed results from a Léger poll, which found that eight out of ten Quebecers believe the government and public health system should offer more support to people living with obesity.
Only 11 percent of respondents agree with current government policies regarding obesity treatments, highlighting a significant call for change.
The Léger survey is part of a media campaign funded by Novo Nordisk, designed to raise awareness about obesity. This campaign has the backing of various organizations, healthcare professionals, and individuals living with obesity, all of whom have voluntarily and independently participated.
A coalition, including patient organizations, healthcare professionals, and people living with obesity, has united to raise awareness of obesity as a serious chronic disease in Quebec.
The group advocates for breaking the stigma around obesity and argues that people living with obesity should not face barriers like paying out-of-pocket for medication in Quebec.
“We wouldn’t for a minute think it was acceptable not to provide comprehensive therapy and help for those with other chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure,” said Marie-Philippe Morin, head of general internal medicine at the Heart and Lung University Institute of Quebec City.
She questioned why helping people whose health is compromised by obesity is seen differently.
Since the Quebec drug plan’s inception in 1997, obesity medications have been excluded from evaluation, preventing Quebec's Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) from assessing these drugs' therapeutic and economic benefits.
Quebec remains the only province in Canada that does not evaluate obesity treatments for inclusion in its public drug plan.
According to Statistics Canada, 29 percent of Quebecers live with obesity, yet no government strategy has been developed to ensure access to the full range of potential therapies.
The coalition demands that all necessary support and possible treatments be made available to those in need.
Obesity, a serious chronic disease, goes beyond excess weight. It is linked to over 200 health complications, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and decreased life expectancy. Yet, many still view obesity as a lifestyle issue.
The Léger poll found that while 40 percent of Quebecers recognize obesity as a chronic disease, higher recognition is seen for other illnesses, such as diabetes (69 percent), cystic fibrosis (65 percent), and rheumatoid arthritis (59 percent).
Those who see obesity as a chronic disease are also more likely to attribute it to factors like genetics (73 percent), stress (61 percent), hormones (51 percent), and socio-economic conditions (51 percent).
Nearly half of Quebecers (48 percent) believe the government should reassess coverage for obesity medications, while 29 percent view obesity as a serious condition that should be included in the public drug plan to help people manage their weight effectively.
“Obesity is about more than just BMI. It’s influenced by a range of factors beyond personal control such as genetics, hormones, and stress. We need a healthcare approach that reflects this complexity,” said Yves Robitaille, an internal medicine specialist at the Centre de Médecine Métabolique de Lanaudière.
“Quebecers living with obesity, and who meet all required criteria, deserve access to medications that science has proven can effectively manage the condition and help reduce its broader socio-economic impact.”
The coalition of advocates continues to emphasize the urgency of improving support for obesity treatment in Quebec.
Julie St-Pierre, a pediatrician and lipidologist at the CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'île-de-Montréal, advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, integrating medical, nutritional, psychological, and pharmacological expertise to provide sustainable solutions tailored to patients' needs.
“Obesity is recognized as a chronic disease by all major medical associations worldwide. It is time for our government to acknowledge this as well, so that individuals living with obesity who meet specific criteria can have the option to access appropriate treatments,” said St-Pierre.
Lisa Schaffer, executive director of Obesity Canada, emphasized the need for societal and healthcare changes, saying, “We must shift the attitudes of society and our healthcare systems to recognize obesity as the chronic disease it is.”
She added that many people are left without the support they deserve due to this gap.
Quebecer Émilie Gagnon, who has lived with obesity since childhood, shared her personal experience, noting, “I know the perception that some people may have of people living with obesity, without knowing everything that the person has been through or has tried to change their body image. We need to change attitudes and policies about obesity.”
This growing coalition continues to push for changes in Quebec’s healthcare policies, demanding greater recognition of obesity as a chronic disease and improved access to the care and resources needed to support people living with obesity across Quebec and Canada.
