http://www.obesity.dk/report/presentations/seidell.html
Dr. Jacob Seidell
Head of the Department of Chronic Diseases and Environmental Epidemiology at the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgesondheid en Milieu at Bilthouen, the Netherlands.
The burden of obesity for the society and the individual
We do not have exact numbers for the prevalence of obesity. When you talk to the public or to a journalist, the impression is that obesity is not a problem in Europe, only in North America.
However, the prevalence of obesity has risen in the EU. If we look to the USA, which we regard as the world leader within obesity, the prevalence is based on self-reported search data that are done each year for the entire USA. They show that obesity has doubled over the last ten years, from 10 to 20 per cent. The true prevalence of obesity in the USA is probably higher, possibly 25 per cent. To its neighbours, the problem is much smaller. In Canada, the figure is 10-15 per cent. In Europe, data are also usually self-reported. Only a few countries measure height and weight.
The situation in Europe
In Europe, there is a big variety across the continent. In the Netherlands, there has been a doubling over the last twenty years, but the figure is much lower than in USA. Data from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway show a similar pattern.
The prevalence of obesity in the Netherlands was around 5-6 per cent in the early nineteen eighties. The same figure applied to the UK. In the Netherlands the number has increased to 10 per cent; in the UK it has increased to 20 per cent, possibly even further. This is prevalence roughly equivalent to that of the USA.
In Eastern Finland the prevalence is about 20 per cent, which is close to what we see in USA. In Germany 20-25 per cent are obese. Southern Europe shows similar figures, although obesity in women is more common than in men. In Eastern Europe the prevalence of obesity in women is extremely high, in the area of 30-40 per cent.
The difference between countries should be studied carefully: why is the prevalence of obesity much higher in Germany than in the Netherlands?
The prevalence of obesity is increasing, especially among children. In the Netherlands, the most rapid growth in obesity is seen in children at the age of six. This tendency is seen across Europe: we see very dramatic increases in Scottish children, and in English children.
Within countries there is a great variety in different sub-populations. In addition to social class we have ethnicity: compared to Dutch children, children of Turkish and Moroccan parents in the Netherlands have twice the prevalence of obesity. Not only do we have heterogeneity across Europe; within countries there is difference between sub-populations.
On average, the prevalence of obesity in Europe is 10-15 per cent, which is similar to the situation in USA five-ten years ago. We are rapidly copying our big neighbour.
Why worry?
The main reason for worrying is that obesity is a big health problem. The most important diseases that are associated with obesity are heart disease, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis. Obese women have 12 times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to lean women.
Apart from somatic disease, obesity leads to poor physical functioning and reduced quality of life. Symptoms of chronic low back pain are clearly related to obesity, and there are obvious economic and individual connotations. Obese people have far more work days lost through illness than lean people. Although the data are different, the problem is the same across Europe. It is of a magnitude that is comparable to smoking.
We may conclude that:
The prevalence of obesity in most European countries is high (15-25 per cent in women; 10-20 per cent in men) and increasing in most countries.
Rates vary widely between and within countries, particularly in women.
Obesity constitutes an important health hazard throughout Europe.
Upon visiting Europe, I noticed there seemed to be less obese people there than in America, especially in Amsterdam.
My theory is:
- They serve smaller portions of food at restaurants.
- Fast food restaurants are not as prominent.
- The majority of people ride bicycles rather than drive cars, therefore get more exercise.
- They smoke a lot.
Granted people have different metabolisms. I for one have a very high metabolism and thus have never weighed more than 155 lbs in my LIFE. (I'm 5'9") I have found though that if I'm not active and eat fattening food, I'll gain weight rather quickly, so I stay active and eat right and thus maintain a slender build. My heart goes out to those that don't have a high metabolism as I do - I know several people that are just as active as I am and battle to keep the pudge off.
At any rate, if you take up two seats, yeah...pay for two. Unfortunate that the seats are really small on planes, but...such is life - it's not always fair. More incentive to loose weight - besides, it's better for your health.
One thing that may help people to loose weight is to EAT SLOWER. And realize to stop eating once you feel your stomach fill up....it will expand to accomodate whatever you force down there, but it's not necesary to eat that much. If you eat slower, you'll notice once you've reached that point. Just my two cents worth. :-)
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