Weight-related health issues continue to be a thorn in the side of European policy-makers, as a recent report by the OECD and the European Commission revealed that more than 50% of European adults are either overweight or obese. This comes as a sobering revelation that, if not dealt with in a timely manner, could lead to serious implications for EU member states. As many governments currently seek to decrease extraneous spending, this increase in weight-related issues, besides its negative health consequences, threatens to add an additional burden to healthcare costs

Because of growing budgetary woes, healthcare spending per capita decreased by 0.6% in 2010 – a stark contrast to the 4.6% average annual increase between 2000 and 2009. In 2010, member states across the European Union spent approximately 9% of their GDP on health, however as healthcare spending continues to decrease, it is going to be progressively more challenging to meet healthcare demands. The costs of obesity extend beyond healthcare and treatment and are also mirrored in potential losses of productivity. 

Obesity is not an isolated condition. It is, in fact, linked to other noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, which can be a cause for premature death. These noncommunicable diseases reportedly account for some 86% of deaths and 77% of diseases in Europe, which is said to be the result of people's unhealthy lifestyles.

Weight issues affect a large number of adults across the EU, with 52% of them currently overweight or obese. Malta specifically counts among the countries with the highest obesity rates and the problem is said to be particularly prevalent amongst men in the age group of 25-44, of whom over 20% were found to be obese. The disease can also follow socioeconomic lines, as citizens on lower incomes or with lower levels of education tend to suffer from it more often.

Besides affecting many adults, obesity is also becoming more prevalent in our children. This is crucial as the habits that children develop at an early age set the foundation for their lifestyles at a later stage. This means that children who watch more television, do not exercise and have an unhealthy diet are more likely to be overweight or obese in the future.

Despite the gravity of this situation and the immensity of its consequences, there are several solutions that could contribute towards alleviating the negative affects of obesity in the European Union. By addressing the issue sooner rather than later, European policy-makers can avert future problems.  

One measure that has been taken, for instance, is the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme that helps promote healthy food choices in schools by offering fruit and vegetables in the school canteens and by educating children and adults about these choices. This voluntary scheme has been implemented in many member states, including Malta.

Measures have also been taken more specifically in Malta through the Healthy Weight for Life strategy. This strategy aims to provide increased education and to improve audiovisual advertising, increase activity amongst children and decrease television consumption. It covers the period from 2012 to 2020 and it targets both children and adults in an effort to decrease the problem of obesity.

Last year, the World Health Organisation equally issued an Action Plan for 2012-2016 that aims to reduce obesity in Europe. It emphasises the importance of prevention throughout life and the fact that society should create health-supporting environments, as well as universal access to health promotion, disease prevention and health services. According to this plan, it is important to target children and enable them to develop healthy habits in order to prevent them from adopting unhealthy lifestyles as they grow older.

Taking these initiatives a step further, some even argue that the EU should treat unhealthy food along similar lines as tobacco. In other words, governments should impose taxes and increase regulation and advertising. While this is a much more dramatic solution, it sheds light on how urgent the situation is currently perceived to be.

There are many ways of tackling the growing problem of an overweight population in Europe and it is vital to recognise that any initiatives taken to address this issue are important investments in the future. By improving the lifestyles of children across Europe, we are likewise improving the health of the adults that these children will one day grow into. And an overall healthier population will alleviate much of the unnecessary burden on European healthcare systems. For this to be achieved, however, cooperation is needed – not only across member states, but also between policy-makers and citizens themselves. If member states take action to address this issue and individuals start making healthier life choices, we can master the current challenges and better prepare for a healthy future.