TORONTO -- While the latest numbers from Statistics Canada suggest Canadians may be getting the m... We're still gaining we

TORONTO -- While the latest numbers from Statistics Canada suggest Canadians may be getting the message about the importance of healthy living, experts say the battle is far from over.

A report released yesterday shows that while Canadians measured at two-year intervals have steadily gained weight since 1996, the amount of weight they put on decreased for both men and women over the last two years of the survey.

Men between the ages of 18 and 64 gained an average of 0.7 kilograms in 2004-05, and women fared slightly better with an average gain of 0.6 kilograms.

Overall, however, men and women of all ages have been steadily putting on weight over the last eight years, gaining an average of four kilos and 3.4 kilos, respectively.

Dr. Howard Morrison, head of the science office at the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control with the Public Health Agency of Canada, said the recent decrease in weight gain does not necessarily signal a turning point for Canadian.

While obesity plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, Morrison stressed there are many other ailments that plague the overweight.

He said overweight individuals are at greater risk for several different cancers, especially of the colon or prostate. And he emphasized the toll additional weight can take on knees and hips, adding that joint replacements are more common among those with kilograms to lose.

The 47-year-old office manager from Mississauga feared her excess weight could shorten her life and deprive her of quality time with her young daughter.

The key for Hube was to make gradual changes to her lifestyle, starting with reducing portions and progressing to regular exercise and vigorous workouts.

"Maybe it's just me, but I notice that our restaurants . . . their portion sizes are increasing," she said. "I can't even eat it. It's just too much."

Hube said education was key to her weight loss, as she learned about the consequences of eating certain foods and discovering healthy alternatives.

Morrison hopes the programs will be especially effective for younger Canadians, who are gaining the most weight, according to the Statistics Canada report.

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