Published by Aafiyat Medical Centre · October 2026

Short answer: Canada’s clinical guideline for adults treats obesity as a long-term health condition, not a matter of willpower. The goal is better health and quality of life, not chasing a number on the scale. Lasting change usually comes from support with eating, movement and habits, and for some people medication or surgery, planned with a health care team.

Why short-term diets often don’t last

Many people lose weight on a diet and then regain it. That is not a personal failure. The Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline, published in 2020 and updated since, describes obesity as a chronic condition that can come back. Like high blood pressure and other long-term conditions, it does best with ongoing support rather than a short burst of effort.

Focus on health, not just the scale

The guideline encourages you and your care team to set goals around health: better blood sugar, lower blood pressure, less joint pain, more energy, better sleep and being able to do more of what you enjoy. These improvements can happen even with modest weight change.

What the guideline recommends

Care is built around you, and may include:

Nutrition: a way of eating that suits your health, culture, budget and preferences, and that you can keep up
Physical activity: movement matched to your fitness and any health conditions, including strength training
Psychological and behavioural support: help with habits, stress, sleep and emotional eating
Medication: for some adults, prescription medicines can be added, based on a doctor’s assessment
Surgery: bariatric surgery is an option for some people, after assessment by a specialist team

The guideline also asks health care providers to treat people with respect and without weight bias.

Check for medical causes

Some medicines and health conditions can make weight harder to manage. A doctor can review your medicines, ask about your sleep and other symptoms, and order blood work when needed. If you have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or joint pain, your weight plan should be adapted to them.

What about weight-loss medicines?

Prescription medicines can help some adults as part of a wider plan. Whether one is right for you depends on your health, your other medicines and your goals, so it is a decision to make with your doctor. Ontario’s public drug plans generally do not cover them, and according to Obesity Canada, fewer than 1 in 5 private drug plans in Canada cover them, so check your plan.

Weight management at Aafiyat Medical Centre

At Aafiyat Medical Centre in Mississauga, weight management brings together our Registered Kinesiologist, who provides exercise and lifestyle coaching, including general healthy-eating guidance, and our doctors, who look after your medical care. You do not need a referral to see a Registered Kinesiologist. Kinesiology sessions are not covered by OHIP, but many workplace and private benefit plans cover them. Visits with our doctors are covered by OHIP with a valid Ontario health card.

Learn more about weight management at Aafiyat, or call, text or WhatsApp 289-813-0786 to book.

Sources

This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor.