Obesity Reaches ‘Epidemic’ Level in Europe and Becomes Leading Risk for Cancer

GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 10: An overweight person walks through Glasgow city centre on October 10, 2006 in Glasgow, Scotland. According to government health maps published today, people in the north of England lead less healthy lifestyles compared to those in the south. The United Kingdom is also the fattest country in Europe, according to a new study of obesity rates to be released today. The "Health Profile of England" report, compiled from government data, said some 24 percent of people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are obese.
(Photo : Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

A major report from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that overweight and obesity is the fourth most common risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Europe, and a leading risk factor for cancer.

In the course of 15 years, obesity rate has reached an "epidemic" proportion in the region as it hit deadly levels, confirmed in nearly 60% of adults and 8% of children under five. Its prevalence in Europe is "higher than in any other part of the world except the Americas," according to the report published by the WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.

"Alarmingly, there have been consistent increases in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the WHO European region and no member state is on track to reach the target of halting the rise in obesity by 2025," the report said.

According to The Guardian, the disease is "directly responsible for at least 200,000 new cancer cases annually" and 1.2 million deaths in the region, also linked to a string of other diseases, including musculoskeletal complications, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

An "Ongoing Epidemic"

For some countries, the leading risk factor for cancer is smoking. However, in Europe, it is predicted that obesity will overtake this factor. Being overweight is among the leading causes of death and disability in the European Region and increases the risk for many NCDs. In fact, obesity is considered a cause of at least 13 different types of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

UK is currently on track to have the highest obesity levels in Europe, ranking fourth for having the most overweight and obese adults, behind Israel, Malta and Turkey. For comparison, having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 is classified as being overweight, while 30 or above is defined as obese.

As per the report, overweight or obese in general is more likely in European men than women, although more women were living with obesity (24%) in Europe than men (22%).

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Not Only a Risk Factor but a Disease

Obesity causes much more complex health risks than a mere risk factor from unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

The WHO report presents the latest evidence of how having unhealthy body weight earlier can affect a person's tendency to develop obesity later in life. Aside from common causes of growing challenge and impact of obesity in the European region are "environmental factors unique to living in modern Europe's highly digitalized societies" and the "proliferation of sedentary online gaming".

In addition, obesity had been disproportionately affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the report said, mostly due to "unfavorable shifts in food consumption and physical activity patterns" that will significantly have long-term effects.

"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," said Dr Hans Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe in reversing the obesity epidemic in Europe.

The report also tackled sugar taxes on sugary drinks and subsidies on healthy food.

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