Being overweight or obese can take a huge toll on your health and wellbeing. Globally it is thought obesity contributes to around 2.8 million deaths every year.
And in the UK, around one in four adults are now classified as obese with health bodies warning of the strain it puts on the NHS, costing billions every year. But while the rates are high in the UK, data has revealed that it is not the heaviest country in Europe.
According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) regional European obesity report from 2022, around 60 percent of adults in the continent are either overweight or obese, posing “an increasing challenge”. This is a “major risk factor” for diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases, the report warns.
So which country ranks as the most obese in Europe? The report gives the top spot to Turkey, or Türkiye, a country that geographically lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia.
According to the report a staggering 32.1 percent of the adult population in Turkey is obese. And 66.8 percent of adults are considered overweight ot obese. This places Turkey as 17th in the global obesity rank, but first across Europe.
Contributing factors to the high levels of adult obesity in Turkey have been listed as the rise in sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, societal changes, stress (stress-induced eating), depression (emotional eating), and technological developments.
But where do other European countries rank for obesity? Listed in order are the other nine countries that make the top 10.
Malta
Located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta has the second-highest obesity rate in Europe.
The report states that 28.9 percent of the adult population is obese, while 66.4 percent are overweight or obese.
This is blamed on an unbalanced diet and low activity levels.
United Kingdom
Obesity levels in the UK have been steadily increasing for years, now making us the third most obese place in Europe.
Globally, the UK is 33rd most obese. The data shows that 27.8 percent of adults here are considered obese and 63.7 percent are overweight or obese.
This has been linked to increased portion sizes, the rise of fast food and more sedentary jobs.
Hungary
With 26.4 percent of Hungarian adults obese and 61.6 percent overweight or obese, Hungary is the fourth most obese country in Europe.
Globally it is ranked as the 41st most obese country.
Lithuania
The WHO report says that 26.3 percent of Lithuanian adults are obese, and 59.6 percent are overweight or obese.
Lithuania has a global obesity rank of 43.
Czechia
Also known as the Czech Republic, Czechia is the sixth-most obese country in Europe.
According to the stats, 26 percent of adults there are obese and 62.3 percent are overweight or obese, placing it at 46th on the global obesity list.
Andorra
In Andorra 25.6 percent of adults are considered obese, while 63.7 percent are overweight or obese.
Ireland
Neighbouring the UK, Ireland ranks as the eighth most obese country in Europe.
The WHO report shows that 25.3 percent of Irish adults are obese and 60.6 percent are overweight or obese.
Bulgaria
Also known as the Republic of Bulgaria, it is the ninth-most obese country in Europe.
A quarter (25 percent) of the adult population in Bulgaria is obese and 61.7 percent are overweight or obese.
Greece
Taking the 10th spot on the list is Greece, where 24.9 percent of adults are considered obese and 62.3 percent are overweight or obese.
Greece has a global obesity rank of 54, just after Bulgaria.