P.E.I. not doing enough for people with obesity, says new report

The P.E.I. government isn't doing enough when it comes to helping people lose weight, according to a new report.

The Canadian Obesity Network's report looked at each province, and found that there are close to 10,000 Islanders who are most at risk of developing health problems because of their weight.

Dr. Arya Sharma teaches medicine, and is chair of obesity research and management at the University of Alberta.

He was chair of the scientific working group for the report, and said like other provinces, P.E.I. does a good job focusing on prevention of obesity, but not enough is in place for the people already obese and in danger.

"Maybe prevention might have worked 10 years ago, 15 years ago, but right now they're sitting here, they've got the disease, and what they deserve and need is treatment like anybody else who has any other chronic disease," said Sharma.

Clinics, staff needed

What he feels is needed is infrastructure, a clinic, staff, a place for people to go to find ways to treat their obesity and good programs to follow.

"For some people it might be, here's a diet program, here's an exercise program," Dr. Sharma said. "For some people it might be diet, exercise, plus a medication, a prescription medication for obesity. And for some patients it might be ... this is somebody who really needs bariatric surgery."

An emailed statement from Health PEI in response to Sharma's comments said that while the organization doesn't have an "obesity-specific strategy," it does take the population "into account" when planning programs and services such as public health nutrition and chronic disease prevention and management.

The statement also noted that Health PEI has brought Dr. Sharma to Prince Edward Island to facilitate workshops for health professionals about obesity.

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