Obesity is a major threat to the health and economic well-being of Canadians. It is estimated that about 5.5 million Canadian adults and half a million Canadian children are obese. In 2001, obesity costs represented $4.3 billion (or 2.2% of Canada's total health care budget). There are also substantial costs to Canada's economy in terms of absenteeism or short or long-term disability. Like other chronic diseases of civilization, obesity results from complex interactions between environmental and biological factors. The determinants of this epidemic are entrenched social trends, including urban sprawl, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diets, stress and nutritional illiteracy.

The vision of the Canadian Obesity Network is to reduce the humanistic and economic impact of obesity on Canadians through collaborations that will help advance knowledge in obesity prevention and treatment. The Canadian Obesity Network mission is to become the primary Canadian network of health professionals, researchers, policy makers, and other commercial and non-commercial stakeholders interested in preventing and reducing the mental, physical and socioeconomic consequences of excess body weight.

Canada's industry has a major role to play in these efforts: new nutritional formulations, innovative methods of encouraging physical activity inside and outside the workplace, and novel pharmaceutical targets and advanced surgical techniques are providing new opportunities to Canada's agri-food, life sciences and medical devices industries.

The multidisciplinary nature of obesity is reflected in the broad support of the network by more than 130 leading Canadian obesity health professionals and researchers from the social sciences and humanities, health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and agriculture. The network also has the support of public advocacy groups, professional associations, and other non-profit and governmental bodies. The network seeks to engage and mobilize Canadian industry as a responsible partner for health and wellness innovation in the market place, workplace, and community.

Canadian Obesity Network - CON (2005-2010)
Focus:	To reduce the burden of obesity on Canadians by linking obesity researchers with health professionals, policy makers and other stakeholders to foster knowledge translation, capacity building and partnerships.
Funding:	$2 million for entire funding period
Partnership Power:	105 industry, public service and academic partners
Scientific Director:	Dr. Arya M. Sharma
Web site:	www.obesitynetwork.ca