Fewer Than One in Ten (8%) Canadians Can Identify All Risk Factors for Diabetes
- Being overweight
- A parent or sibling who has diabetes
- Elevated blood glucose levels
- Elevated blood pressure
Although a majority (59%) can correctly identify at least one of the risk factors, fewer than 8% can identify all four. Most Canadians (52%) can identify `being overweight' as a factor, while only minorities correctly choose `a parent or sibling who has diabetes' (45%), `elevated blood glucose levels' (42%), or `elevated blood pressure' (22%) as a risk factor for diabetes.
Nearly nine in ten (87%) incorrectly identified a variety of other factors as being a risk factor for diabetes, including `a diet high in sugar' (43%) and `low levels of physical activity' (40%), while 5% say they don't know any of the risk factors for diabetes.
Potentially creating further alarm is the revelation that most Canadians aren't getting regularly screened for the disease that has been called `the epidemic of the 21st century' by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Majority (57%) indicate not having been screened for diabetes risk in the past 12 months, compared to just two in five (39%) who say they have been screened, while 5% don't know if they have.
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between May 10th to 24th, 2013 on behalf of the Sun Life Canadian Health Index. For this survey, a sample of 2,400 Canadians, ages 18 to 80, from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 2.3 percentage points had all Canadians adults, ages 18 to 80, been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.572.4474
[email protected]
About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.
To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.
With offices in 85 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,789 billion (2.300 billion USD) in 2012.
