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Nearly
50% of Canadians are overweight owing to their sedentary lifestyle and frequent
consumption of high-calorie meals. Many obese Canadians are baby boomers in
their 50s. All of them have to deal with one weighty issue how to shed weight
and stay healthy.
Concerned over fat-related problems, many Canadians are going to great lengths to slim down. They join health clubs or take up regular outdoor activities like boating, cycling and jogging. Others support the Canadian Association for Size Acceptance in the hope of changing society's negative view of fat people.
In the mid-90s, appetite-depressing drugs were sought after. However, when several brands were found to pose serious heart problems, interest in such drugs waned. Then came a ban on the use of some dangerous ingredients in the drugs.
Nowadays, more and more Canadians are switching to low-fat food. Quick to capitalise on the demand is Ontario-based Yogen-Fr
z, which is promoting its low-calorie, frozen desserts through major grocery chains and its franchise outlets. Public response to its products was so great in 1998 that its revenue reached US$62 million.
Another trailblazer is PowerBar Co. It produces low-calorie, nutritious food bars that appeal not only to athletes, but also consumers from all walks of life. In response to public demand, the company is now marketing new flavours of its food bars as well as a range of energy drinks.
Health-conscious Canadians also like low-fat Asian food. A big hit is low-calorie Thai food.
However, consumer response to Chinese cuisine is mixed. Vegetarian fare is gaining wider acceptance, but the general impression is that most Chinese dishes are oily.
by staff writer Paul Siu, Toronto
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