Study shows Romania will remain the slimmest European country for the next 15 years

Rates of obesity and overweight in both male and females are projected to increase in almost all countries of Europe by 2030, according to a statistical modelling study.

However, the forecast rates vary throughout the 53 Euro-region countries, with projected male obesity levels ranging from 15 percent in the Netherlands and Belgium, to 47 percent in Ireland. The highest obesity prevalence in females was projected in Ireland (47 percent), and the lowest in Romania (10 percent).

The study, from investigators which included the WHO Regional Office for Europe, was presented today at the EuroPRevent congress in Amsterdam by Dr Laura Webber from the UK Health Forum in London.(1,2)

Definitions were based on the WHO’s standard cut=offs – healthy weight (BMI ≤24.99 kg/m²), overweight and obesity combined (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) and obesity (≥30 kg/m²).

In almost all countries the proportion of overweight and obesity in males was projected to increase between 2010 and 2030 – to reach 75 percent in UK, 80 percent in Czech Republic, Spain and Poland, and 90 percent in Ireland, the highest level calculated.

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The lowest projected levels of overweight and obesity were found in Belgium (44 percent), and the Netherlands (47 percent). Similar trends in overweight and obesity were projected in women, with Ireland again showing the greatest proportion (84 percent).

Similarly, the projected proportions of male obesity were found high in Ireland (58 percent), Greece (40 percent), Czech Republic (38 percent) and UK (35 percent). The lowest male obesity prevalence was projected in Romania (10 percent).

In explaining the variations in projected obesity levels between countries the investigators note the possible effect of “economic positioning” and “type of market”.

” 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,” they write.

“The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Austria possess more regulated market economies.”