Title: UK most overweight country in Western Europe says OECD - BBC News
Headings: UK most overweight country in Western Europe says OECD
UK most overweight country in Western Europe says OECD
Britain is the most obese nation in Western Europe, with rates rising faster than any other developed nation.
Adolescent drinking 'problematic'
Health service squeeze

Content: Child and teen obesity spreading across the globe
Is this the food that is making us all fat? Weight-related deaths can affect non-obese too
British obesity rates have grown to 27% of people with a body mass index (BMI) above 30. The OECD average is 19%. Overweight people have a BMI between 25 and 30. The OECD lists the UK as one of five countries suffering from "historically high" rates of obesity since the 1990s - increasing by 92%, compared to 65% in the United States. "Obesity means higher risk of chronic illnesses, particularly hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases," the report said. image copyright
Science Photo Library
image caption
The UK obesity rate has doubled over the past two decades
The OECD recognised campaigns to fight obesity, such as the decision by hospitals in England to ban 'super-size' chocolate bars from hospital outlets, and the impending government sugar tax, but said "more could be done". A number of OECD nations, such as Australia and Canada, have managed to reduce and stabilise obesity levels in recent years, but Japan remains lowest at 4%. Britain is, however, doing better at tackling child obesity. Figures show it is stable at 24%, remaining below average over the past decade, at a time when it is increasing rapidly across the rest of Europe.