Data shows Ireland has the fastest rise in obesity in the EU

Irish people are getting fatter, quicker, than any other nationality in the EU, according to figures from the OECD and European Commission.

The data shows that since the year 2000, almost one in four Irish adults now classify themselves as obese compared to just over one in 10, 16 years ago.

Obesity is defined by Body Mass Index when a person's weight is disproportionate to their height.

Ruth Deasy of the European Commission says the figures are worrying.

Ms Deasy said: "Well the trends itself reported obesity among Irish adults between 2000 and 2014 have gone up the fastest in the EU.

"Irish people are sefl-reporting obesity at 11% in 2000 and at 23% in 2014, so it's a worrying marker."