Obesity: Spain faces weighty problem

Population putting on weight despite the historic benefits of the Mediteranean diet

SCIENTISTS predict more than 27 million people living in Spain will be overweight or obese by 2030 – bringing a €3 billion burden to the health service.

The ‘obesity epidemic’ has been on the rise internationally for years; according to the World Health Organisation cases have tripled since 1975 and the trend is predicted to continue.

And Spain – despite the historic benefits of the Mediterranean diet – is included as a country with a population putting on weight.

A study by doctors at the Mar de Barcelona hospital confirms the prediction. The investigation showed 80% of men and 55% of women will be overweight by 2030, more than 27 million of the population.

It underlines the additional cost to the health system of €3 billion. Being overweight can increase the risk of developing a number of diseases, including: diabetes, hypertension, a stroke, cancer, and cardiovascular complications.

The Barcelona research put historic statistics on the prevalence of obesity and excess weight from 1987 to 2014 under the microscope in a bid to obtain an accurate prediction for the future.

Alarm

Chief researcher Álvaro Hernáez said it revealed an “alarming” future. He said: “We found the trends and we cross-referenced them with data covering the general population from the National Statistics Institute in order to estimate the figures of obesity and excess weight.”

The doctors stressed that any weight loss – even shedding a few kilos – reduces the risk of developing any of the diseases associated with obesity.

Colleague Dr Albert Goday continued: “There are currently 25 million people with excess weight; three million more than a decade ago...if this trend continues, there will be another three million more – 16% more cases – by 2030.”

The doctor said it was conservative estimate and outlined how in men excess weight was more usual up to the age of 50; in women, because of hormonal changes, obesity rose from the age of 50 onwards when it was harder for females to control their weight.

Dr Goday said there was no quick-fix cure but underlined the importance of losing weight to achieve health benefits. “We aren’t going to find a key to this or a vaccination overnight.

“But any minor intervention will help to reduce the risk. You might think that you have made a huge effort and have only lost 4kg when you need to lose more – but bear in mind that those 4kg are already reducing the risk of developing a disease.”