Well over three-quarters of men living in Malta were found to be overweight, which is the highest rate in the 52 countries in the World Health Organisation’s European region.
The WHO published its European Regional Obesity Report for 2022, analysing different aspects of excessive weight in Europe and medical conditions linked to being obese or overweight.
Malta was followed by Israel after it registered just over 70% of its male population being overweight. Meanwhile, overweight women in Malta ranked at 60%, which is the second highest in the region.
Turkey registered the highest rate of overweight women at 70%, with the overweight rate also including persons considered obese. Malta has long topped the list as an epidemic of obesity hits the continent.
The World Obesity Federation, which was published in March, suggested that the problem is set to worsen, with over a third of the population being obese by 2030.
Over 45% of 11-year-olds are overweight in Malta, with 40% of the island’s 15-year-olds registering as overweight. Similar reports published in 2018 showed lower rates, signifying a worsening problem.
Figures for girls are lower than boys, but they are still considered some of the highest rates compared to the rest of thee region. 35% of 13-year-old girls were overweight, but the rates lowered as the age number increased.
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