Nova Scotia

Body Mass Index (Adults 20+ years)

• Residents from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Territories, are more likely than Canadians overall to be classified as obese; and are less likely to classified as having a healthy weight.

Chronic diseases (45+ years)

• The proportion of individuals who report being diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes is higher in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador compared to the Canadian population.

• High Blood Pressure (HBP) and/or heart disease (HD) is more commonly reported by residents in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island (HD only), Newfoundland and Labrador (HBP only).

Attitudes about physical activity

• Residents from Nova Scotia and Ontario are more likely to view physical activity as ‘inconvenient’.

Social norms and walking

• Although there are no significant regional differences in the proportion of individuals who say that family members walk regularly; those from Nova Scotia are more likely than the average Canadian to disagree that friends walk regularly.

Environments supporting physical activity

• Residents of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are less likely to state that there are low cost facilities nearby.
• Those living in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Yukon are less likely to agree that nearby shopping opportunities exist.
• The proportion agreeing that bicycle facilities exist in their neighbourhood is lower among residents of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Manitoba.
  

The Institute gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Health Canada and the Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council toward the Benchmarks Program. Our Nova Scotia partner is the Department of Health Promotion and Protection.