Health reports
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The 2009 to 2011 Canadian Health Measures Survey provides the most recent measured body mass index (BMI) data for children and adolescents. However, different methodologies exist for classifying BMI among children and youth. ⋯ These estimates indicate a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity among children than do estimates based on International Obesity Task Force cut-offs. Although the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in Canada has not increased over the last decade, it remains a public health concern, given the tendency for excess weight to persist through to adulthood and lead to negative health outcomes.
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Research on physical activity among Aboriginal peoples has generally taken a pan-Aboriginal approach rather than considering First Nations people, Métis and Inuit separately. However, the groups differ geographically and culturally. ⋯ Aboriginal peoples generally have higher levels of leisure-time activity than do non-Aboriginal people.
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Long-term care facilities (nursing homes) in British Columbia consist of a mix of for-profit, not-for-profit non-government, and not-for-profit health-region-owned establishments. This study assesses the extent to which staffing levels have changed by facility ownership category. ⋯ While total nursing hours per resident-day have increased in all facility groups, the rate of increase was greater in not-for-profit facilities operated by health authorities.
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According to results from the 2007/2008 Canadian Community Health Survey, about 1 in 10 Canadians aged 12 to 44-9% of males and 12% of females, an estimated 1.5 million people--experienced chronic pain. The prevalence of chronic pain increased with age and was significantly higher among people in households where the level of educational attainment was low and among the Aboriginal population. ⋯ It was associated with activity limitations and needing help with everyday tasks, and had work-related implications. Individuals with chronic pain were frequent users of health care services, and were less likely than people without chronic pain to respond positively on measures of well-being, including mood and anxiety disorders.
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Little information has been published about the mortality of the Métis people of Canada. This study describes mortality patterns among Métis and Registered Indian adults, compared with the non-Aboriginal population. ⋯ Métis adults had higher mortality rates compared with non-Aboriginal members of the cohort, but lower rates than did Registered Indians.