Obesity is a chronic disease.
It deserves clinical treatment.
Ottawa Health Center provides evidence-based obesity treatment for adults in Ottawa, Gatineau, and the Outaouais region. Our approach is grounded in the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines — the same framework used by leading physicians and specialists across Canada.[1]
Not a lifestyle choice.
A medical condition.
Obesity is defined by Health Canada and Obesity Canada as a chronic, progressive disease characterised by abnormal or excess body fat accumulation that impairs health.[1] It is not a failure of willpower or discipline — it is a complex condition influenced by biology, genetics, environment, hormones, and behaviour.
This distinction matters for treatment. Approaches that focus solely on diet and exercise often fail in the long term because they do not address the underlying medical drivers of weight gain. Effective treatment requires clinical assessment, medical oversight, and a personalised plan that addresses your specific situation.
Ottawa Health Center treats obesity the way the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend — with evidence-based interventions, compassionate care, and a focus on long-term health rather than short-term numbers.
How Ottawa Health Center
treats obesity.
Our approach follows the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. Every patient receives a full clinical assessment before any treatment begins.
Clinical Assessment
A full review of your health history, BMI, waist circumference, medications, and obesity-related conditions. Treatment decisions are based on your complete clinical picture — not just your weight.
Root Cause Understanding
We identify the biological, metabolic, and behavioural factors contributing to your obesity. This informs a personalised plan rather than a generic protocol.
Evidence-Based Treatment
Treatment may include the Allurion Gastric Balloon, medically supervised nutrition, behaviour change support, or a combination — all grounded in published evidence and Canadian guidelines.
Comorbidity Management
If you have obesity-related conditions — diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea — these are monitored and managed as part of your programme, in coordination with your primary care physician.
Long-Term Support
Obesity is a chronic condition. Our programmes include ongoing follow-up, maintenance coaching, and medical oversight beyond the initial treatment phase.
No Judgement
Weight stigma causes real harm. Every patient at Ottawa Health Center is treated with dignity, privacy, and genuine respect — without judgment about their body or their history.
Our obesity treatment
programmes.
Allurion Gastric Balloon
The world's first swallowable gastric balloon — no surgery, no endoscopy, no anaesthesia. Clinically proven to produce 10–15% total body weight loss in approximately 16 weeks, with strong long-term maintenance when the full programme is completed.
Learn more →Medical Weight Loss Programme
A comprehensive, physician-supervised treatment programme combining clinical assessment, metabolic evaluation, personalised nutrition, and structured follow-up. Suitable for patients with complex obesity or multiple comorbidities.
Learn more →Medically Supervised Nutrition
Personalised, evidence-based nutrition plans designed around your physiology and health history. Delivered with physician oversight and regular check-ins — not a generic diet plan.
Learn more →Non-Surgical Weight Loss
All programmes at Ottawa Health Center are non-surgical. No operations, no anaesthesia, no hospital stay. Effective, evidence-based obesity treatment without the risks of surgery.
Learn more →Non-surgical programmes available in collaboration with LEAF Weight Management Clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Is obesity really a disease?
Yes. Obesity is recognised as a chronic, progressive disease by Health Canada, Obesity Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, and the World Health Organization. The Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines — developed by leading Canadian physicians — formally classify obesity as a chronic disease that requires clinical treatment, not simply lifestyle advice.[1]
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. You can book a free consultation directly through our website or by phone. Our team will contact you within one business day to arrange a convenient time.
Is obesity treatment covered by OHIP?
Most obesity treatment programmes at Ottawa Health Center are not covered by OHIP. Some extended health plans may cover elements such as nutritional counselling. Our team can discuss all costs and payment options during your consultation.
What if I have tried to lose weight before and failed?
Previous unsuccessful attempts at weight loss are extremely common and are not a reflection of your commitment. Obesity has biological drivers — including hormonal responses that actively resist weight loss — that make unsupported efforts very difficult to sustain. A medically supervised programme addresses these drivers directly. Our team will not judge your history. We will work with it.
How much weight can I expect to lose?
Results vary by programme and individual. Patients on the Allurion Gastric Balloon programme lose an average of 10–15% of total body weight over approximately 16 weeks. The Canadian guidelines target 7–15% weight loss for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes to achieve remission.[1] Your physician will set realistic, evidence-based goals during your assessment.
Can obesity treatment improve my other health conditions?
Yes — often significantly. Weight loss of 5–10% has been shown to produce clinically meaningful improvements in blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk factors. For patients with type 2 diabetes, the Canadian guidelines target 7–15% weight loss for potential disease remission.[1]
Start your obesity
treatment today.
Your free consultation is the right first step. Our medical team will review your health history, discuss your goals, and recommend the treatment approach that is genuinely right for you — with no pressure and no commitment required.
- No referral needed
- Free, no-obligation first consultation
- Non-judgmental, compassionate care
- Response within one business day
Clinical References & Sources
- [1] Obesity Canada. Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. Obesity Canada and Canadian Association for Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons, 2020 (updated 2025). Available at: obesitycanada.ca/guidelines. Guideline defines obesity as a chronic disease; targets 7–15% weight loss for type 2 diabetes remission; recognised internationally as a leading resource in obesity management.
- [2] Statistics Canada. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is on the rise in Canada: New results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2022 to 2024. Statistics Canada, 2024. Available at: statcan.gc.ca. Data: 33% of Canadian adults classified as having obesity in 2022–2024, up from 25% pre-pandemic.
- [3] Poirier P, et al. "Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Effect of Weight Loss." Circulation. 2006;113:898–918. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.171016. American Heart Association statement on obesity comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, and certain cancers.