Survey reveals Ireland has second highest rate of obesity in EU

New data indicates that Ireland ranks second within the European Union (EU) for obesity rates, with over a quarter of its adult population falling into this category.

Statistics released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, show that in 2019, obesity was prevalent in 26% of the Irish adult population. This figure significantly overshadows the EU average of 16%, with only Malta recording a higher rate at 28%. Comparatively, Ireland ranked seventh in a similar survey in 2014, with an obesity rate of 18%.

However, when examining the combined data for those classified as overweight, including individuals identified as having obesity and “pre-obesity,” Ireland presents a better picture. Over half of the adults in the country, about 56%, are categorised as having overweight, which positions Ireland near the middle among the 27 EU nations. Croatia and Malta top this list with 64% of their adults having overweight, while Italy and France record the lowest figures, with 45% of adults in these countries classified as having overweight.

Body Mass Index (BMI), a metric that measures body fat in relation to an individual’s height and weight, is used to determine whether a person has overweight. A BMI of 25 or above classifies a person as having overweight, while a BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity. A BMI range of 18.5-25 is considered normal.

In 2019, according to Eurostat data, slightly over half of all adults in the EU had overweight. Of this population, 45% maintained normal weight, 53% were classified as having overweight, and nearly 3% were considered underweight.

A representative from Eurostat emphasised the serious public health implications of obesity, which notably elevates the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer. The spokesperson further explained that obesity could also be linked with various psychological issues. “The societal implications of obesity are significant, resulting in substantial direct and indirect costs that place considerable burden on healthcare and social resources,” they said.

The study discovered that in all 27 EU member states, more men than women had overweight. In Ireland, this discrepancy was evident with 61% of males having overweight compared to 49% of females. However, the rates of obesity were relatively equal, with 26% of Irish men and 25% of Irish women categorised as having obesity.

Eurostat’s data also highlighted a correlation between age and weight, with higher rates of individuals with overweight in older age groups, excluding those aged 75 and above. The highest rate of individuals with obesity in Ireland (32%) was documented among individuals aged between 65-74.

Moreover, a clear link was identified between educational attainment and weight, with a decreasing prevalence of individuals with overweight as education levels increased.

Geographically, in Ireland, people residing in the Border region, which includes counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan, and Sligo, exhibited the highest likelihood of having overweight or obesity. Around 59% of adults in this region had overweight, and 30% had obesity. In contrast, the west region (counties Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon) and the south-west region (Cork and Kerry) recorded the lowest rates of individuals with overweight, at 53%.

The Central Statistics Office compiled these Irish figures by analysing a survey of approximately 7,600 individuals, conducted as part of the Irish Health Survey 2019.