Allergic rhinitis (AR)—known for causing watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion—is becoming more common in developed countries. In Canada, up to 44% of individuals claim to have experienced AR symptoms, while 20% have been diagnosed by their medical doctors. For some, it happens mostly during spring or fall, termed “seasonal allergies,” and for others, it is present all year round, aka “perennial allergies.”

In 2015, more than one in four adults had obesity in Canada, meaning their body mass index (BMI) was over 30. This rate is on the rise, and with it the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and cancer, all of which are associated with obesity