Obesity in Quebec: An Unrecognized Disease

In Quebec, obesity is still not officially recognized as a disease. Yet, more than 30% of the population—approximately 3 million Quebecers—are living with this chronic condition, which profoundly impacts their health and quality of life.

Burden of Disease

Definition of Obesity: Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by the accumulation of excess body fat that may harm physical, mental, or metabolic health and overall well-being.

Complications: These include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. In fact, obesity is a risk factor for over 200 health conditions. It affects not only life expectancy but also quality of life and exposes individuals to pervasive social stigma.

Economic Impact:
The cost to the Quebec government is staggering—$23 billion in 2021 alone. A reduction of just 1% in obesity prevalence could yield net fiscal gains of $230 million annually. The return on investment for effective obesity policies is not only significant but essential.

Access to Treatment: A Gap Compared to International Standards

Quebec’s approach lags behind international benchmarks set by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

• Global Progress: The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has called for redefining obesity beyond BMI and emphasized the need for treatment access. Alberta has already taken the step of officially recognizing obesity as a disease.

• Quebec’s Current Approach: The province still centers its strategy on lifestyle changes, while limiting access to therapeutic interventions within the public system.

• Systematic Exclusion: Pharmaceutical obesity treatments are explicitly excluded from the public drug insurance plan (Article 6.3, Schedule 1, RAMQ Drug List).

• Evaluation Barrier: Unlike the Canadian drug agency (CADTH), Quebec’s own agency, INESSS, does not evaluate these treatments for potential inclusion in public reimbursement lists.

Quebec Policy Roundtable: A Call to Action for Equitable Obesity Care

In response to the continued lack of recognition and access to treatment for obesity in Quebec, Parlons Obésité, the French-language division of Obesity Matters, convened a policy roundtable on December 12, 2024. The event brought together healthcare professionals, advocates, economists, public affairs experts, industry leaders, and caregivers to explore solutions and drive action.

Changing the Narrative Around Obesity

Participants emphasized the need to shift the narrative—moving away from outdated views that frame obesity as a personal choice, toward understanding it as a complex, chronic disease. The language used in media and political discourse must reflect this reality to reduce stigma and support meaningful change.

Improving Access to Comprehensive Care

Discussions highlighted the urgent need for equitable access to comprehensive care, including pharmacotherapy and bariatric services. Proposed solutions included:

• Targeted pilot projects in underserved regions,

• A joint task force (MSSS, INESSS, patients, and clinicians) to optimize funding and care delivery.

Driving Awareness and Policy Change

Two core strategies were identified:

• Education: Public campaigns that highlight the clinical impact of untreated obesity and center real patient voices.

• Policy advocacy: A focus on economic arguments, removal of Article 6.3 from the RAMQ Drug List, and enabling INESSS to evaluate obesity treatments.

A Path Forward

Participants recommended continued engagement with elected officials around key political milestones and proposed:

• A public awareness event at the National Assembly,

• A province-wide commission on obesity, inspired by Quebec’s General Assembly on Cancer.

About Parlons Obésité

Parlons Obésité is the French-language division of Obesity Matters—the first patient-centered organization supporting people living with obesity in Quebec and across Canada.

Our mission is to foster compassion, empowerment, and health equity by:

• Recognizing obesity as a chronic disease, and

• Ensuring access to comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment.

We work through advocacy, education, and community engagement to build a more inclusive and respectful healthcare system for all.