A Newfoundland politician hopes a scathing review of "fat" people in his constituency will prompt residents to improve their physical fitness and eating habits.

N.L. House of Assembly member Christopher Mitchelmore says he was disappointed to read the harsh travel review from New York Times writer Karl Ove Knausgaard. The Norwegian writer visited St. Anthony, N.L., in late December, and described its people as "fat" in an article published last week.

"This is likely the worst review we've ever had from a travel writer," Mitchelmore told CTV's Canada AM on Tuesday.

Knausgaard described the people at a Jungle Jim's restaurant as so fat "that I kept having to look at them." He added that "several people were wearing tight T-shirts with their big bellies sticking out proudly."

Mitchelmore says Knausgaard's article does not accurately reflect the lifestyle or hospitality of Newfoundlanders. He added that he was disappointed the story focused on people's physical appearance, not their service.

However, he did acknowledge that Knausgaard raises some health questions that should be addressed.

"I look at it as something that's created a dialogue," he said.

On Monday, nutritionist Erin Chafe told NTV News that approximately 70 per cent of Newfoundlanders are expected to be obese or overweight by 2019.

Mitchelmore says that's a prospect worth talking about.

"We need to look more at the prevention side of things when we look at health care," he said.

Newfoundland has the highest adult obesity rate among Canadian provinces, according to Statistics Canada information from 2011-2012. About 35.2 per cent of the province’s adult population is obese.

Canadian obesity rates are high in the East Coast, where Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are close behind Newfoundland and Labrador's obesity rate.

The Northwest Territories have the highest obesity rate anywhere in Canada at 35.3 per cent.

The Canadian national obesity rate is 24.8 per cent, StatsCan says.

Mitchelmore says Newfoundland is proud of its tourism industry, but perhaps it can add some more active travel options for visitors.