UNB kinesiology professors set sights on obesity

Kineseology professors at the University of New Brunswick are hoping to teamup with the medical profession to try and tackle the province's growing obesity problem.

New Brunswick's obesity rate is third highest in the country at 33.2 per cent, and well above the national average of 25.

Among metropolitan areas examined by Statistics Canada in a 2014 report on obesity, Saint John had the highest obesity rate in the country and 38.1 per cent.

The Miramichi health region led the country's 51 health regions with an obesity rate of 40.8 per cent.

This is the perfect population for me to study because most people are inactive.- Danielle Bouchard

"This is the perfect population for me to study because most people are inactive," said Danielle Bouchard, who has relocated to Fredericton to study and teach at UNB.

"Theydon'tdo regular physical activity like you don't have to do cross-fit, just walking."

Statistics Canada's 2014 report on obesity uses body mass index (BMI) weight in kilogramsdivided by height in metresto determine obesity, with anyone with a BMI of 30 or higher being considered obese.

MartinSnchal,Bouchard's husband and afellow UNB kinesiology professor, is studying the costs of obesity.

A 2013 study by the Canadians Institute of Actuaries shows obese people cost the health-care system an extra 30 per cent over their lifetime.

Information Morning - Fredericton11:41Obesity

Danielle Bouchard and Martin Senechal are UNB's newest professors in Kinesiology. Their research just might make a difference in the high obesity rates in this province.A large part of Snchal's study focuses on how a lot of the financial strain on the healthy system could be alleviated if New Brunswickers just maintained healthy lifestyles.

"Twenty-five, 30 per cent of obese people are free of risk factors of diabetes and cardiovascular disease," saidSnchal.

"So I am trying to make sure that people stay at that stage."

The kinesiology department has been meeting with the New Brunswick Medical Society to bridge the gap between kinesiologists and doctors.

They hope to create kinesiology placements in health clinics so both parties can tackle the province's growing obesity problem together.