Obesity rates at epidemic proportions across Europe

Overweight and obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions across Europe and are still escalating, a major new report has revealed.

According to the WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022, 59% of adults and 28% of children in the European region are overweight or obese.

The WHO European Region is made up of 53 members state and overweight and obesity are among the leading causes of death and disability there. Recent estimates suggest they cause over 1.2 million deaths every year, which is 13% of total mortality in the region.

Obesity increases the risk of many non-communicable diseases including different types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Overweight and obesity are also the leading risk factor for disability, causing 7% of total years lived with disability in the region.

Furthermore, those who are overweight or obesity have been disproportionately affected by the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. The report noted that there have been unfavourable shifts in food consumption and physical activity patterns during the pandemic that will have effects on population health in the years ahead and will need significant effort to reverse.

“Obesity knows no borders. In Europe and Central Asia, no single country is going to meet the WHO global non-communicable disease target of halting the rise of obesity.

“The countries in our region are incredibly diverse, but every one is challenged to some degree. By creating environments that are more enabling, promoting investment and innovation in health, and developing strong and resilient health systems, we can change the trajectory of obesity in the region,” commented Dr Hans Henri Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe.

The report highlights the complexity of obesity, emphasising that it is not just down to the mere combination of an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Vulnerability to unhealthy body weight in early life can affect a person’s tendency to develop obesity and environmental factors unique to living in modern Europe’s highly digitalised societies also have an impact.

For example, the report examines how the digital marketing of unhealthy food products to children and the proliferation of sedentary online gaming contributes to the rising tide of overweight and obesity in Europe. However, it also looks at how digital platforms might provide opportunities for the promotion and discussion of health and wellbeing.

The report acknowledges that obesity is complex, with multifaceted determinants and health consequences. This means that no single intervention can halt the rise of the growing epidemic. However, policy interventions that target environmental and commercial determinants of poor diet at the entire population level are likely to be most effective at reversing the obesity epidemic, addressing dietary inequalities and achieving environmentally sustainable food systems.

The report points out that any national policies aimed at tackling overweight and obesity must have high-level political commitment behind them. They must also be comprehensive, reaching individuals across the life course and targeting inequalities. Policy options need to move away from approaches that focus on individuals and address the structural drivers of obesity.

The report highlights a few specific policies that show promise in reducing levels of obesity and overweight, some of which have already been introduced in Ireland, such as a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.

Other recommended policies include improvements in access to overweight and obesity management in primary healthcare, school-based interventions and the creation of environments that make physical activity more accessible.

The report can be viewed here.