Overweight and obesity

Obesity and overweight are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health, caused by introducing more energy than what is actually spent. They are measured through the body mass index (BMI). In the pan-European Region, obesity affects 20–30% of adults, and obesity rates are escalating in children.

Children are particularly in danger from obesity: overweight is the most common childhood disorder in the pan-European Region, and obesity in childhood often continues into adulthood, bringing an enormous burden of disability and mortality, as well as an economic challenge.

Diet and physical activity are the main determinants of obesity.

For further information about overweight and obesity see some reference websites at the bottom of this page.

ENHIS information

The indicators below describe pressure, exposure, health effects and action for the disease under scrutiny, with indicators of health effects presented at the top. Indicator-based assessments cover all countries in the WHO European Region and provide information on the environment and health context, the policy relevance and context, as well as suggestions for further monitoring. When available, case studies of health impact assessment (HIA) are also presented.

Prevalence of excess body weight and obesity in children and adolescents

Percentage of physically active children and adolescents

Policies to reduce and prevent excess body weight and obesity in children and adolescents

These indicators contribute to monitoring the health effects of environmental exposures towards the achievement of four priorities goals for the pan-European Region (so called regional priority goals, RPGs) set by the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in 2004, and on which the 53 Member States of WHO/Europe have committed to take action.

For the definition and other details about each indicator, please read the metadata section within the assessment and read the information on indicator methodology.

References

The following WHO and EU websites offer further information about obesity and overweight.

WHO/Europe, obesity (http://www.euro.who.int/obesity)
WHO, obesity health topic (http://www.who.int/topics/obesity/en/)
WHO, Fact sheet on obesity and overweight (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/index.html)
HEPA Europe, the European network of health-enhancing physical activity (http://www.euro.who.int/hepa)
European Commission, DG Health and Consumer Protection, Physical activity and health - EU platform for action (http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/nutrition/platform/platform_en.htm)

ENHIS, World Health Organisation, Overweight and obesity. Bilthoven: RIVM, version 1.8, 21 October 2008