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Press Release

World Digestive Health Day 2021: The European Obesity Crisis

May 27, 2021

Helena Cortez-Pinto, highly respected gastroenterologist and hepatologist and Vice President of United European Gastroenterology (UEG), discussed the alarming trend of obesity across Europe and its harmful impact on a range of chronic digestive diseases.

The European obesity epidemic is one of the most significant and greatest public health challenges that we face today. Over the past few decades, we have seen a stark increase in obesity and now over half of the EU’s population are considered either overweight or obese1. This brings a huge burden with suffering and loss of life and it is vital that we unite and act now to reverse this trend and protect future generations.

There are a multitude of digestive and liver diseases that are associated with overweight and obesity. For example, almost 75% of obese individuals have a fatty liver, increasing the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Additionally, obesity is fast becoming a health risk that is overtaking tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer, with evidence showing increased colorectal, pancreatic, oesophageal, gastric and liver cancer rates in obese people. Combined, these five cancers are responsible for over 365,000 deaths per year in the EU, representing almost one in three cancer-related deaths.

As well as affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals, obesity places a substantial strain on public healthcare systems, with both direct and indirect costs having an evident effect on society. Estimated to cost the EU over €70 billion annually through healthcare costs, obesity is a driver of lost workplace productivity and stretched healthcare services2.

Equally alarming is that there is little expectation that obesity figures will decrease, or even plateau, in the near future. Recent studies have reported that one in three children in Europe between the ages of six and nine are either overweight or obese. Childhood weight problems continue throughout later life too, with evidence showing that four in five obese adolescents continue to have weight problems as adults3.

Like in adults, paediatric fatty liver disease is emerging as one of the most significant complications of childhood obesity. Studies in Germany, for example, have shown a 30% prevalence of NAFLD in overweight and obese children and adolescents4.

So, what can be done? Promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices is key in tackling rising adult and childhood obesity rates, especially in tackling high consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods, which are often high in salt, sugar and fats. Consumption of ultra-processed foods has dramatically risen in recent decades, with consumers opting for ‘fast food’ items including soft drinks, confectionary, and frozen ready meals instead of home-cooked meals, that are usually healthier.

To limit the consumption of these unhealthy foods, the European Commission and national governments must do more to increase the availability of quality healthy foods, at a lesser price, to influence consumer choices. The taxation of unhealthy food, like sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), has been shown effective in reducing the consumption in Portugal5, and could be a measure to be further implemented. On the opposite there is need of state economic support for the production and sale of fruit and vegetables. Also, campaigns to increase the availability and reduce the cost of water, such as the “Drink Up” campaign, can be very significant in reducing obesity6.

Promoting a change in eating culture, from ‘on-the-go’ food consumption to nutritious cooked meals, can be achieved through adopting policies that restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods and encourage the reformulation of products to reduce fat and sugar content. Policies that restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods, especially to children, and public health educational programmes can also be enhanced to inform what constitutes a healthy diet.

There is an immediate requirement across our continent for a drastic change in attitudes, approaches, and behaviours towards food consumption. Due to the level of change required, it can only be shifted if there are coherent EU and Member State plans. Through this, we can achieve a new environment for members of the public to be encouraged to, and want to, make healthier and more informed choices related to food consumption.

If we do not change our approach now, the burden of obesity on chronic digestive diseases is only going to become greater, with higher disease prevalence, death rates and economic costs as a result.

Commenting on the obesity epidemic, Sarah Wiener MEP, states: “Obesity is one of the most significant health challenges of the 21st century in Europe, and the burden on healthcare systems, the economy and society at large continues to grow. We need to drive holistic policies that facilitate a European-wide transformation to healthier lifestyles. This demands immediate action and support from Governments to ensure we enable and empower European citizens to make this crucial change, as we seek to turn the tide against obesity.”

Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, adds: “Reversing the rise in obesity rates and change of consumption patterns across the EU is critical – for the health of our citizens and continent but also for our resilience to pandemics7.”

Social Sharing
  • Notes to Editors
  • References
Notes to Editors

For further information, or to arrange an interview with Helena Cortez-Pinto, please contact Luke Paskins on +44 (0)1444 811099 or [email protected] 

We kindly ask that a reference to UEG is included when communicating any information within this article.

About UEG

UEG, or United European Gastroenterology, is a professional non-profit organisation combining all the leading European medical specialist and national societies focusing on digestive health. Our member societies represent more than 30,000 specialists from every field of gastroenterology. Together, we provide services for all healthcare professionals and researchers, in the broad area of digestive health. The role of UEG is to take concerted efforts to learn more about digestive disease by prevention, research, diagnosis, cure and raising awareness of their importance. To advance the standards of gastroenterological care and knowledge across the world and to reduce the burden of digestive diseases,

UEG offers numerous activities and initiatives, including:

  • UEG Week: Organising the best international multidisciplinary gastroenterology congress in the world.
  • UEG Research: Supporting cooperation and excellence in digestive health research.
  • UEG Journal: Delivering clinical information for digestive health with authority.
  • UEG Education: Providing learning opportunities in multiple formats.
  • Quality of Care: Improving clinical practice to reduce health inequalities across Europe.
  • Public Affairs: Acting as the united voice of European Gastroenterology towards the public and policy makers.

Find out more about UEG’s work by visiting www.ueg.eu or contact: [email protected]

References
  1. Eurostat. (2019). Overweight and obesity - BMI statistics. Available at: https://ec.europa. eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/ Overweight_and_obesity_-_BMI_statistics
  2. UEG Report: Digestive Health Across Europe (2018)
  3. Gov UK. (2018). Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer, 2018. Available at: https://assets. publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/attachment_data/file/767549/ Annual_report_of_the_Chief_Medical_Officer_2018_-_ health_2040_-_better_health_within_reach.pdf.
  4. Denzer, C. (2013). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children and adolescents. Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz, 56(4), 517-527.
  5. Goiana-da-Silva (2020). Projected impact of the Portuguese sugar-sweetened beverage tax on obesity incidence across different age groups: A modelling study. PlosOne, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003036
  6. http://www.stopchildobesity.eu/the-drink-up-campaign/
  7. EU Press Corner: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_20_920

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