EXCESS DELIVERY
Online takeaways & lack of exercise set to make UK Europe’s fattest nation by 2033
BRITAIN is on course to become the fattest country in Europe as online takeaways and inactivity take their toll.
A World Health Organisation report revealed 64 per cent of UK adults are overweight, including 28 per cent categorised as obese.
Currently Turkey and Malta have a higher proportion of obese adults but the WHO predicts the UK will overtake both by 2033.
Citing data gathered since 2000, it says that in a decade 37 per cent of UK adults will be obese.
Dr Kremlin Wickramasinghe, WHO lead for noncommunicable diseases in Europe, told the Mirror the UK led the western European trend towards more time spent using screens.
He said the UK’s “food environment” was also the worst, with more online food deliveries and junk food advertising.
The WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022 highlights sedentary lifestyles and the prevalence of food delivery services such as Deliveroo and Just Eat.
The document also notes: “Food and beverages purchased from the out-of-home sector are more energy-dense and higher in fat, sugar and salt than retail counterparts.”
The report found when eating out or ordering a similar takeaway, people consume on average 200 more calories per day than if they had prepared their own food.
Dr Wickramasinghe said that more of the UK population had access to online food deliveries than any other country studied.
He said their popularity due to Covid lockdowns had embedded them in our culture and added: “They drive people to order more than they need, with deals such as free delivery if you spend above a certain amount.” Researchers also warned that rates of child obesity in the UK appeared to have significantly worsened during the pandemic.
Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum, said: “Even primary school children are using food apps to deliver meals and pizzas straight to their classroom.
“They risk getting addicted to these services from a young age.”
A Deliveroo spokesman said: “We want to provide the right information and a greater selection of healthier choices.”
Just Eat said many partners already offered healthier options. It plans to help them “explore how they can grow their range to meet customer needs and preferences”.
The Department of Health said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health issues we face, which is why we are encouraging everyone to live a healthy life, regardless of circumstance.”
The WHO report coincides with the European Congress on Obesity in Maastricht, Netherlands.
Another study presented there, from University Hospital Cardiff, found only a quarter of obese people trying to slim had lost significant weight after a year.