Obesity at ‘epidemic proportions’ in Europe, World Health Organisation warns

The Covid-19 pandemic has made things worse due to drops in exercise and increases “in the consumption of foods high in fat, sugar and salt”, the report said

Obesity is at epidemic proportions across Europe, according to a new World Health Organisation report (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Overweight and obesity have reached “epidemic proportions” in Europe, causing an estimated more than 1.2 million deaths every year, according to a major new report.

The study, from the World Health Organisation (WHO), found that excess body fat leads to premature death and is a leading risk factor for disability.