WHO warning of obesity Europeans are getting fatter

By 2030, in some countries, almost every adult could be overweight
More and more people in Europe are suffering from being overweight or even obese (obesity). Although many sufferers are aware of the dramatic health consequences - including a high risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases - there does not seem to be a rethinking of the population. Rather, unhealthy eating habits seem to be increasingly compounded. The World Health Organization (WHO) for the European Region warns of an "overweight crisis of enormous proportions" until the year 2030.

More and more overweight in Europe
In Europe, more and more people are suffering from obesity. According to the WHO, the situation could be particularly dramatic in Ireland, where by 2030, almost all adults will be overweight. This is one of the alarming results of a WHO study that calculated the expected weight of women and men from 53 European countries. The researchers compared data on obesity (body mass index 25+) and obesity (BMI 30+) from 2010 with projections for 2030. The numbers were presented by WHO at the European Congress on Obesity in Prague.

In addition to Ireland, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Austria and the Czech Republic also have to expect more obese people in the future. By 2030, twice as many Greeks could be obese than in 2010. So far, overweight has not played a big role in Sweden. However, according to the WHO, one quarter of all men in the Scandinavian country could weigh too many kilos by 2030. In 2010 it was still 14 percent.

By 2030, two-thirds of men and half of women in Germany could be overweight
In Germany, the population is steadily increasing. According to WHO, men in this country will increasingly suffer from obesity in the future. A total of two-thirds of men and half of women should be well away from normal weight by 2030. According to the study, almost every fourth man and more than every fifth woman is said to be affected by obesity. Although there are countries in Europe with extreme overweight, but also the high numbers for Germany are very problematic. For those who carry too many kilos with them, must suffer serious health consequences. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, cancer, fatty liver disease, and hormonal imbalances can be among the consequences of being overweight, which in the worst case even lead to the death of the patient. Often the psyche also suffers from being overweight. Children are discriminated against and marginalized at school. Something similar happens again and again to adults in the job. The consequences can be depression and social problems. This is also confirmed by a study by researchers, the Leipzig University Hospital, according to which people with strong obesity (BMI 35+) are often prejudiced and discriminated.

"The results prove that the discrimination due to obesity and its negative consequences are highly relevant problems in society," said lead author Jenny Spahlholz from the University Hospital Leipzig told the news agency "dpa".

Away from the overweight crisis
The WHO urges all countries to take countermeasures in the face of dramatic developments. "Governments need to do more to limit unhealthy food marketing and make healthy eating more affordable," quotes news agency Laura Webber from the UK Health Forum, which carried out the project in cooperation with WHO in Europe.

The study also shows a positive trend - at least for the Netherlands. As the only European country, people are getting slimmer. Less than half of men are expected to be overweight in 2030 and only eight percent obese. In 2010, it was still 54 percent and 10 percent. (Ag)

: by-sassi