Rates of overweight and obesity are expected to increase in almost all European countries by 2030, with Ireland expected to be at the op of the list, a new study has revealed.

According to the findings, while most of the European region's 53 countries will see increased obesity, prevalence rates will vary. For example, male obesity levels are expected to increase in the Netherlands by just 15%, but in Ireland, they are expected to jump by 47%.

Similarly, the highest obesity prevalence among women is expected to be recorded here (47%). The lowest increase is expected to be recorded in Romania (10%).

"Our study presents a worrying picture of rising obesity across Europe. Policies to reverse this trend are urgently needed," commented Dr Laura Webber of the UK Health Forum in London.

The researchers used a statistical modeling study to make their predictions. They incorporated all the available data on obesity trends and body mass index (BMI) that is currently available.

The research revealed that in almost every country studied, the proportion of overweight and obese males was expected to increase between now and 2030. The highest projected level - 90% - is expected to be in Ireland. The lowest projected level - 44% - is expected to be in Belgium.

Similar projections were made for women, with Ireland again topping the league at 84%

The study also noted that there is ‘little evidence' to suggest that any plateau in adult obesity rates will occur in Europe. In other words, the prevalence of obesity will simply keep on increasing.

The researchers suggested that the reason for Ireland's poor forecast may be due to the ‘type of market' we have.

"The UK and Ireland, where obesity prevalence is among the highest, possess unregulated liberal market economies similar to the US, where the collective actions of big multinational food companies to maximise profit encourages over-consumption. The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Austria possess more regulated market economies," they said.

Meanwhile, the researchers warned that the results of this study may under-estimate the extent of the problem, ‘given what we know about increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood across Europe'.

Details of these findings were presented by Dr Webber at the EuroPRevent Congress in Amsterdam.