Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is a key population indicator for harmful alcohol consumption. We used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey to examine recent trends in sex-based differences in HED among adults by age group from 2017 to 2019 and 2022 to 2023. The overall prevalence of HED was 20.5% (95% CI: 20.1, 20.8) in 2017 to 2019 and 20.3% (95% CI: 19.9, 20.8) in 2022 to 2023. Overall, males had a higher HED prevalence than females; however, sex-based differences narrowed in 2022 to 2023 compared to 2017 to 2019. Among those aged 18 to 25 years, females reported a higher HED prevalence than males in 2022 to 2023 (prevalence: 27.9% vs. 24.2%), yielding a prevalence difference of-3.7% (95% CI: -9.4,1.9), although the confidence interval includes zero, indicating uncertainty about whether a meaningful difference exists. From 2017 to 2019 and 2022 to 2023, the prevalence of HED in Canada remained high, and sex-based differences narrowed across all age groups, particularly among young adults, where rates converged.
IntroductionSupporting breastfeeding is integral to the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP), although details on lactation support implementation are limited. This research aimed to assess lactation support delivery by CPNP sites across Canada, excluding Quebec, and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected services. MethodsFrom May to July 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional survey; 207 sites were invited to participate. We investigated the types of lactation supports delivered; how and by whom; and the role of site characteristics (locality, Community Action Program for Children funding, breastfeeding clinic on-site, primary healthcare facility on-site) and funding sources (CPNP only, CPNP and other funds, other funds only) on lactation support provision. ResultsAll respondents (n = 91 sites) reported providing at least one lactation support: 95% offered educational materials, 89% community referrals, 77% personalized support from a community-based provider, 69% live education sessions, 68% breast pumps, 51% peer support programming, 34% personalized support from a board-certified lactation professional, and 34% lactation-related supplies. Most sites continued to offer lactation supports during the COVID-19 pandemic but faced multiple service provision challenges. Availability of lactation supports that required additional resources beyond CPNP core funds varied by site characteristics. To provide lactation supports, particularly personalized support, most sites reported relying heavily on non-CPNP funds (e.g. donations, private funding). ConclusionLactation support delivery varied widely across CPNP sites, with access differing by site characteristics and external resource availability. Increased programmatic guidance and support of core lactation resources holds potential to ensure consistent lactation support availability and reduce disparities in perinatal health and nutrition.
Introduction: Solitary cannabis use has become increasingly prevalent among youth in Canada and is linked to both mental and behavioural concerns. This study seeks to fill current gaps in the literature by examining the factors associated with solitary cannabis use to understand the complexities of specific contexts in which use occurs and improve prevention efforts targeted towards behaviours that are associated with greater health impacts and riskier behaviours. Methods: This study examined solitary cannabis use among a crosssectional sample (n = 2899) of Canadian youth (11-18 years) who reported past 30 day cannabis use and participated in the COMPASS study in 2020-21. Using a stepwise approach, general ized linear mixed models were run to examine risk and protective factors associated with solitary use. A Bayesian imputation framework was used to address missing data. Results: Sixtysix percent of students reported having used cannabis alone in the past 30 days. All substance use variables examined were strongly associated with solitary use. A preliminary interaction between school connectedness and flourishing was observed, suggesting school connectedness may offer modest protection against solitary cannabis use and vary across flourishing scores. Conclusion: Solitary cannabis use is common among Canadian youth and is associated with several other risk factors examined. These findings suggest that comprehensive prevention strategies that promote both flourishing and equitable school environments may be relevant to reduce solitary cannabis use and its associated risks. Future research should explore how behaviours may cluster with solitary use and employ longitudinal designs to understand how behaviours change over time.
IntroductionLimited evidence exists on physical activity (PA) participation among children and youth living with disabilities (CYLWD) in Canada. CYLWD may experience barriers and inequitable access to PA opportunities that differ by disability type. This study provides national-level estimates for PA participation among CYLWD. MethodsUsing data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), we identified children and youth with various physical, cognitive, and behavioural disabilities using the Washington Group/UNICEF Child Functioning Module. We examined a comprehensive set of PA measures (average minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per day; meeting moderate-to-vigorous PA recommendations; organized sport; outdoor PA/play; indoor PA; walking to school) for children aged 5 to 11 years (N = 16 694) and youth aged 12 to 17 years (N = 11 077). We employed linear and logistic regression adjusted for age group and sex to assess disparities in PA between CYLWD and those without. ResultsCYLWD were 26% to 52% less likely to meet PA recommendations and 27% to 64% less likely to participate in organized sport than those without, with the greatest disparities among those with mobility limitations. Outdoor PA/play was less likely among those with physical disabilities and diagnosed with autism, while indoor non-organized PA was less likely among youth with cognitive, behavioural, or mobility-related disabilities, or a neurodevelopmental disorder. ConclusionWhile overall, CYLWD in Canada engage in less PA than those without disability, participation differs by disability type. Improved PA data that are specific to the realities of CYLWD is needed to strengthen the evidence base and inform policy and program development to promote PA.
Introduction: Limited evidence is available on the eating behaviours of Canadian adolescents. We examined how eating behaviours vary by social factors in a large nationwide sample of Canadian adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (n = 13 605 adolescents aged 12-17 years). Gender-stratified multivariable regression models were used to test for differences in the likelihood of breakfast consumption, evening family meals, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) intake and restrictive eating by gender, age, racial/cultural background, parental education, household income, and food security status. Results: Compared to boys, girls were more likely to consume breakfast infrequently, have fewer evening family meals, engage in restrictive eating, but were less likely to consume SSB frequently. Adolescents aged 14 to 17 demonstrated a higher likelihood of infrequent breakfast consumption, reduced participation in family meals, engagement in restrictive eating behaviours, and frequent consumption of SSB compared to those aged 12 to 13. Black adolescents were more likely to report infrequent breakfast, lower participation in evening family meals and frequent SSB consumption compared to their White peers. Adolescents whose parents had a high school degree or lower education were more likely to report infrequent breakfast consumption and frequent SSB consumption compared to adolescents whose parents had a college degree or higher. Lower household income and food insecurity were linked to adolescents' frequency of breakfast consumption, evening family meals, and SSB intake, but showed no association with restrictive eating behaviours. Conclusion: Disparities in eating behaviours exist among Canadian adolescents, underscoring the need for social policies that address structural determinants shaping dietary behaviours in this population.
