title: Variations in the Prevalence of Obesity Among European Countries, and a Consideration of Possible Causes.
abstract: Over the last 10 years the prevalence of obesity across the European continent has in general been rising. With the exception of a few countries where a levelling-off can be perceived, albeit at a high level, this upward trend seems likely to continue. However, considerable country to country variation is noticeable, with the proportion of people with obesity varying by 10% or more. This variation is intriguing and suggests the existence of different profiles of risk or protection factors operating in different countries. The identification of such protection factors could indicate suitable targets for interventions to help manage the obesity epidemic in Europe. This report is the output of a 2-day workshop on the 'Diversity of Obesity in Europe'. The workshop included 14 delegates from 12 different European countries. This report contains the contributions and discussions of the materials and viewpoints provided by these 14 experts; it is not the output of a single mind. However, such is the nature of scientific analysis regarding obesity that it is possible that a different set of 14 experts may have come to a different set of conclusions. Therefore the report should not be seen as a definitive statement of a stable situation. Rather it is a focus for discussion and comment, and a vehicle to drive forward further understanding and management of obesity in Europe.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Blundell
authors.forename: Jennifer Lyn
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boyland
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blaak
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Charzewska
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Henauw
authors.forename: Gema
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frühbeck
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Gross
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hebebrand
authors.forename: Lotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.forename: Vilma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kriaucioniene
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lissner
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Oppert
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Euan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Woodward
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D004777:Environment; D005006:Ethnicity; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence