According to the new research by the World Health Organisation (WHO), a third of British women and 36 percent of British men are forecasted to be obese by 2030. The sharp rise in the obesity levels in Europe appears to be going in the direction of an epidemic that will be explicitly evident within next 15 years. The situation seems to be the most dire in the Republic of Ireland, where the researchers estimate that the overweight population will be a staggering 89 percent by 2030.
The rest of the European countries surveyed, with the exception of Netherlands, do not have a better outlook for the upcoming years. The rise in obesity is expected to take place in Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey Austria, Sweden, Spain and Czech Republic, among others. WHO noted, however, that lack of data in some of the 53 countries that comprise WHO’s European region hindered the effort of an accurate prediction for the region.
Dr Laura Webber of the UK Health Forum noted that the governments should take it upon themselves to solve the problem by restricting the unhealthy food advertisement and making the healthy food more affordable.
Obesity has been linked with numerous health problems, including Type 2 Diabetes and ten forms of cancer that are linked to the unhealthy weight of an individual, including bowel and breast cancer. The World Cancer Research Fund’s head researcher, Rachel Thompson noted that most common types of cancer could be prevented if individuals are a healthy weight, on a healthy diet and engaged in a regular physical activity.
The sedentary work environment of the majority of the working population together with convenient and available junk food may contribute to the obesity phenomenon at its core. Research conducted by the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia, from 2002 to 2012, found that the prices of healthy foods on average cost three times as much, per calorie, as the junk food.
The price of the healthy option in this case, especially for families with lower household income, may not be their first choice.
The WHO is expected to present their findings on Wednesday, 6th May 2015 at European Congress of Obesity in Prague, Czech Republic.