One third of UK women obese by 2030
A third of women in the UK are likely to be obese in 15 years’ time, compared with just over a quarter in 2010.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has made this estimate as part of projections across European countries.
Analysts predicted that in the UK, 33% of women and 36% of men will be obese in 2030, compared with 26% for both in 2010. The women’s figure is the 10th highest among 53 European countries, while the men’s is the 11th highest.
About 59% of women and 70% of men were overweight or obese in 2010 but these figures will be 64% and 74% respectively in 2030, WHO estimates. Ireland will have a startling 89% of men overweight in 2030 – the highest in Europe – and 85% of women, WHO projects.
The figures were released at the European Congress on Obesity in Prague.
Dr Laura Webber, director of public health modelling at UK Health Forum in London, said: ‘Our study presents a worrying picture of rising obesity across Europe. There is no silver bullet but governments must do more to restrict unhealthy food marketing and make healthy food more affordable.’