UK named most overweight nation in Western Europe as obesity rate rises faster than US

The UK is the most overweight nation in Western Europe, with levels of obesity growing faster than in the US, a new report has warned.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Britain was the sixth-worst country in its 35 member states, coming behind Mexico, the USA, New Zealand, Finland and Australia.

Around 27 per cent of the population are now clinically obese and another 36 per cent are overweight, making the combined figure among the highest in the world.

“Obesity has risen sharply since 1990, when it affected only 14 per cent of adults,” said the OECD’s annual “Health at a Glance” report.

“The overall health of British people is similar to the OECD average, considering life expectancy and other general measures of health status … but obesity rates are considerably worse.”

It listed the UK as among countries with “historically high” rates, but said it was also the country where obesity was rising the fastest – increasing by 92 per cent, compared to 65 per cent in the US.

“Obesity means higher risk of chronic illnesses, particularly hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases,” the report added, saying that NHS campaigns were attempting to tackle the causes of obesity but “much more can still be done”.

Other concerns highlighted by the OECD including alcohol consumption among teenagers in the UK, where almost a third of 15-year-olds say they have been drunk at least twice in their life – far above the OECD average of 22 per cent.

For adults, smoking rates and the amount of alcohol consumed by the average person is falling.

The research used the World Health Organisation’s definition of obesity as a BMI of 30 and above, and of overweight between 25 and 30.

It came after NHS England ordered hospitals to take “super-size” chocolate bars and bags of sweet snacks off shelves.

Last month it announced a 250-calorie limit on confectionery sold in hospital canteens, shops, vending machines and other outlets to help fight obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.

Simon Stevens, NHS England’s chief executive, said: “The NHS is now stepping up action to combat the ‘super-size’ snack culture which is causing an epidemic of obesity, preventable diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease and cancer.”

Soft drinks will also be hit by the Government’s new “sugar tax” when it comes into effect in April 2018.

Tax on drinks with more than five grams of sugar per 100ml will be levied by 18p per litre, while those with eight grams or more of sugar per 100ml will have an extra tax of 24p per litre.

While generating revenue, proponents hope the move will also force brands to reformulate their drinks to reduce sugar content and avoid penalties.