75% working age Finns overweight: THL

Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in Finland, particularly among working age people, according to Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Among over 30-year-old Finns, only one in four are of normal weight, said a press release.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set an international target for halting the rise in obesity rates and type 2 diabetes by 2025.

It appears that Finland will not be able to reach the WHO target unless more efficient prevention measures are introduced.

The FinHealth 2017 study revealed that 72% of men and 63% of women over 30 years of age were at least overweight. 26% of men and 28% of women were obese. Nearly half of adults had abdominal obesity that is particularly harmful to health.

After a steadier period in the early 2000s, obesity has become more prevalent in recent years, particularly among working age population, or 30−64-year-olds.

Obesity is also common among children in Finland. Of children aged 2–16, 27% of boys and 18% of girls were at least overweight in 2018. 8% of boys and 4% of girls were obese. There have been no significant changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and young people in recent years.

“The prevention of obesity requires widespread, goal-oriented cooperation between different agents in society. No single measure can put an end to weight gain in the population on its own. There is a need for political decisions; for instance, taxation can be used to guide people towards a healthier diet. Other key measures include nutritional guidance, community planning that promotes physical activity, and health care measures, such as support and guidance related to weight management,” said Senior Researcher of THL Annamari Lundqvist.