Fighting Fat

In a new drive against obesity, the EU's top public health official Markos Kyprianou unveiled a new fat-fighting strategy paper in Brussels on Wednesday.

To the experts, it may not go far enough. The emphasis is firmly on self-regulation, with Kyprianou "encouraging" food companies to provide consumers with full information about the health risks associated with their products. He also urged the food industry to cut down on sugar, fat and salt, and said sports organizations should do more to get youngsters to engage in physical exercise.

Ideally, he said he hoped the industry would act voluntarily, but stressed that a review in 2010 would decide whether new laws were needed.

Without increased information available to consumers, he said, the possibility of setting tougher advertising and labeling rules on companies could not be ruled out.

"What consumers eat is up to them, but they should be able to make informed choices, and have a range of healthy options to choose from," said the EU Health Commissioner. "That is why the Commission is reviewing the options for nutrition labeling, and calling on industry to advertise responsibly and reduce levels of salt, fats and sugar in food products."

Piling on the pounds

The anti-obesity push comes in response to growing evidence that Europeans are getting fatter. Over half are now estimated to be obese or overweight.

According to the World Health Organization, obesity rates have more than trebled since the 1980s in many European countries, with children particularly at risk. Over 21 million are now classified as obese.

"We have to acknowledge the fact that children don't entertain themselves any more through physical activity," he said, adding that they needed to be "reintroduced" to sport.

"If we don't act, today's overweight children will be tomorrow's heart attack victims," said Kyprianou, who also pointed out that diets based on fatty and sweet ingredients combined with lack of physical activity account for six of the seven top factors leading to poor health.

"The numbers are frightening," he stressed.

A fat continent

The EU Commission has long been telling governments to act, but the statistics show the warnings have been in vain.

"Everybody has to be blamed -- including the authorities, including the industry, including the consumers," Kyprianou said.

Overall, consumption of fruit and vegetables in the EU is lower than medical recommendations. The intake of fat and saturated fats is high throughout the continent, while the consumption of cereals has fallen by a quarter since the 1960s in Europe.

Amounting to 7 percent of the total EU budget for healthcare, the cost of obesity could also do with shedding some weight.

But without tough legislation, many believe the obesity problem will continue to balloon. European consumer organization BEUC were among those expressing disappointment with Brussels' plans.

"Like many slimming regimes, the white paper is built on false hopes and unrealistic expectations," said BEUC chief Jim Murray.