The European Commission sounded the alarm Monday over rapidly rising obesity rates across the European Union, citing figures showing that in some member states as many as 27 percent of men and 38 percent of women are classified as obese.
The warning came alongside results from a large public consultation on diet and physical activity. A key concern driving the review: an estimated 14 million overweight children in Europe, more than 3 million of whom are considered obese. Rates are highest among children in southern European nations, where 20 to 35 percent are overweight, compared with 10 to 20 percent in northern Europe.
Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou noted that rising obesity is already contributing to higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease across the bloc.
The consultation pointed to several priorities: expanding access to healthier food options in schools and workplaces, limiting high-fat and high-sugar products, encouraging physical activity, and improving nutrition labeling for consumers.
Industry representatives expressed support for self-regulation, while healthcare groups and consumer organizations questioned its effectiveness, particularly regarding advertising of calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods. Obesity-related conditions are estimated to consume up to 7 percent of total healthcare spending across the 25-nation bloc, where poor diet and inactivity rank among the leading preventable causes of death.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in September 2006, in its own words.