EU: Obesity epidemic:

Markos Kyprianou pledges action as data shows more children overweight

Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, has pledged to act together with industry and consumer groups, health experts and political leaders to tackle Europe's obesity epidemic, as figures published today show the number of EU schoolchildren who are overweight rising by about 400,000 per year.

The data from the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) claims the extent of Europe's obesity problem may have been underestimated due to under reporting in some countries, and that more than 200 million adults across the EU may be overweight or obese. "Obesity is rising rapidly, and Europe's expanding waistline brings with it devastating consequences for public health and huge economic costs. Our continent is facing an obesity epidemic every bit as bad as the one in North America. I am particularly alarmed at the continued rise of overweight and obesity among school children", said Commissioner Kyprianou. "The EU Platform for Action which we are launching today is Europe's contribution to confronting this challenge. Business, civil society and government must work together to stem the rise of obesity among our children".

Source: The European Platform for Action on Diet and Physical Activity
Author: EU:

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Other EVANA-articles about this topic:
EU: Epidemia de obesidade: (pt)

EU: Epidemia de obesidad: (es)

EU: Epidemia di obesità: (it)

EU: Adipositasepidemie: (de)

EU: Epidémie d'obésité (fr)