Ireland among most obese countries in Europe, as WHO says the condition has reached the epidemic rate

Ireland’s obesity levels, which affect more than one in four adults, are now above the European average, a condition that has reached epidemic rates, a World Health Organization key report today. I warned you.

The prevalence of obesity in men and women in this country is now rising to 25.3 pc, compared to the European average of 23.3 pc.

The difference is most noticeable for Irish men, who are obese at 25.1%, compared to an average of 21.8% across Europe.

Ireland is ranked 9th on the table of 53 obese countries. It is the 11th place for those who are overweight or obese.

Among children aged 5-9, Ireland ranks 9th in overweight and obesity.

Among people aged 10-19, Ireland ranks 10th on the table of overweight and obesity.

The report warns that obesity has reached an epidemic rate across Europe and is still widespread. Obesity is associated with at least 13 types of cancer.

Currently, more than 6 out of 10 adults in Ireland are overweight or obese, including 66.1% of men and 55.2% of women.

A report presented at this week’s European Obesity Conference in Maastricht, the Netherlands, found that 59% of adults and 1 in 3 children (29% boys and 27% girls) were overweight or obese in the European region. It is clear that you are living.

The prevalence of obesity in adults in Europe is higher than in any other WHO region except the Americas.

Overweight and obesity are one of the leading causes of death and disability in Europe, with recent estimates that more than 1.2 million people die annually, or more than 13% of total mortality in the region. It has been suggested.

Obesity increases the risk of many symptoms, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and chronic respiratory illness.

For example, obesity is thought to be the cause of at least 13 types of cancer and could be the direct cause of at least 200,000 new cancer cases each year across the European region, a further increase in the future. It’s a schedule.

Overweight and obesity are also major risk factors for disability, causing 7% of the total annual life with disability in the region.

Overweight and obese people are disproportionately affected by the results of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, there are unfavorable changes in food consumption and physical activity patterns, which will affect and require great effort to reverse the health of the population in the coming years.

To address the growing epidemic, the report recommends a range of interventions and policy options that allow EU member states to consider obesity prevention and efforts, with a focus on post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery. ..

“Obesity doesn’t know the borders. No country in Europe and Central Asia can meet the WHO Global NCD’s goal of stopping the rise of obesity,” said Dr. Hans Henri P. Kruge, Director of WHO Europe. I am.

“The countries in our region are incredibly diverse, but everyone is challenged to some extent. Creating a more effective environment, facilitating investment and innovation in health, a powerful and resilient health system. By developing, we can change the trajectory of obesity in this area. “

The causes of obesity are much more complex than just a combination of an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. The report presents the latest evidence and highlights how vulnerability to early unhealthy weight affects a person’s tendency to develop obesity.

Environmental factors specific to living in a highly digitized society in modern Europe are also the driving force of obesity. The report investigates, for example, how digital marketing of unhealthy foods to children and the proliferation of sedentary online games contribute to the growing trend of overweight and obesity in the region.

However, we will also consider how digital platforms may provide opportunities for promotion and discussion of health and well-being.