Public ‘ignorant’ of how obesity can cut life expectancy

Obesity can reduce life expectancy as much as smoking, but most people do not realise this.

A study has found widespread and worrying misconceptions of obesity that are costing lives in Ireland and Europe.

A pan-European study involving 14,000 people found that less than 50% of people realise that obesity is a disease and most are unaware that obesity causes many serious illnesses.