Most people in Europe
are too fat, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It said 59% of the
population were either overweight or obese.
Its European Health Report also said the WHO Europe
region, which includes parts of Asia, had the highest levels of alcohol and
tobacco use in the world.
And as a result, WHO
officials warned, young people in the region "may not live as long as
their grandparents".
The report praised
countries for cutting deaths from cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
(which include heart attacks and stroke).
However, it also
warned that 30% of the region still smoked - a higher figure than for any other
region.
And an average alcohol
consumption equivalent to 11 litres (20 pints) of pure alcohol a year was also
a global high.
Meanwhile, the
proportion of people either overweight or obese ranged from 45% to 67%.
The report said these
figures were "alarmingly high".
WHO regional director
for Europe Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab said: "This report shows heartening
progress.
"But there is a
very real risk that these gains will be lost if smoking and alcohol consumption
continues at the current rate.
"This is
especially relevant to young people, who may not live as long as their
grandparents."
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