- Definition
Obesity means having too much body fat, which can happen when someone eats more calories than their body uses up through daily activities. This extra fat can increase the risk of developing long-term health problems.
If someone regularly consumes more calories from food and drinks than their body uses for school, sports, and daily life, the extra energy is stored as excess body fat.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Obesity is a complex health condition involving body size and health. It is influenced by many factors, including biology, stress, sleep, environment, access to care, and social conditions.
Ask your child: What are respectful ways to support health and well-being without judging someone's body?
Common mix-up: Body size does not tell us everything about a person's health, habits, or character. Avoid blaming individuals; health questions should be discussed with qualified health professionals and trusted adults.
Examples
- Choosing water over sugary drinks is one way to help balance the energy your body takes in.
- Finding a fun activity like dancing or biking helps your body use the energy it gets from food.
obesity is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
