EuroPRevent 2014: forecasts for obesity in 2030
While many believe that obesity is mainly present in the United States, this disease continues to develop in France but also throughout Europe.
The causes are physiological and psychological but there is also a very important factor: the way of life, and more precisely the hygiene of life.
If 50 years ago, men, women and children, did not go to the weight room or did not do Zumba, they moved more on foot or by bicycle. The same goes for food, we weren’t talking about fast food, burgers or pizzas. Households gathered around a family dish such as beef bourguignon.
Society has evolved, mentalities and way of life as well. The appearance and weight of individuals is not only an aesthetic notion but also an essential notion of health, physical fitness and life expectancy.
EuroPRevent Congress 2014
It was discussed during the EuroPRevent 2014 Congress, the evolution of obesity in France and in Europe. This congress took place recently, and on May 9 there are various presentations including one of 15 minutes presented by Laura WEBBER (London, UK), about the current state and the future of obesity.
The analysis is very disturbing. For men in their forties, a weight gain of 1 kg per year has been estimated . This increase leads to diseases and pathologies such as cardiovascular complications, coronary diseases and the risk of Cerebral Vascular Accidents (CVA). This increase is also very dangerous for the joints of the legs, thighs and ankles and also causes respiratory dysfunctions (1) .
Forecasts for 2030
The EuroPRevent Congress carried out a forecast study of the evolution of obesity in Europe. Within 15 years, obesity (in the sense of BMI) could be present for 15% of the population in the Netherlands and Belgium (the best-located countries) and up to 47% for the population in Ireland, against only 23% in 2007 for this country (2) .
Ireland remains the State most marked by this disease, and that is without counting overweight since if we take into account not only the obese but also overweight people, then the estimate reaches 84% among women and 90% for men within 15 years in Ireland.
But Ireland is not the only state that will experience this increase. The United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Spain and Poland will also be very marked. For France, and according to the various sources on which we rely, the data unfortunately could not be recovered.
In the conclusion of her presentation (3) , Laura WEBBER indicates that the delay between the cause and the effects of being overweight can often take up to 40 years to appear.
Concerning the mathematical method used in the calculation of the forecasts, it is about a model already used before (4) .
What to remember
Above all, we must remember from these brief forecasts that they are not encouraging and reflect an observation that is often brought to the fore: obesity continues to gain ground.
As specified, the causes of this disease are physiological and psychological but there is also an economic notion . For individuals with a bureaucratic professional activity, it is considered that they spend 8 to 10 hours in a seated position, the consumer society also encourages each other to consume frozen or deep-frozen products such as lasagna, shepherd’s pie, meat and fish in sauce, which is a time saver but also an accumulation of fat which promotes weight gain, overweight and obesity. Family leisure lacks sporting activity, most go to the cinema or opt for network games, which does not eliminate what has been absorbed.
And despite the incentive and advertising slogans such as “ For your health, avoid eating too fatty, too sweet, too salty ” (5) , individuals encounter difficulties in modifying their way of life.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.