Heavyweights of Europe

The news of Europe's obesity crisis, that emerged from a new Eurobarometer report has continued to capture the attention of journalists and bloggers over the last days. According to the report, Maltese people have the highest 'Body Mass Index' in the European Union with an average BMI at 26.6, the Italians being the lowest, at 24.3. BBC News called the Maltese 'the heavyweights of Europe:

The Maltese and the Greeks are the heavyweights of Europe, figures from the European Commission reveal. The Italians and French the most trim, while the average Briton - like the average European - is slightly over the ideal weight. Obesity, which is linked to a range of health problems, including heart disease, is a growing problem across much of the developed world. The Commission plans to launch a strategy to tackle obesity next year.

EUROPE'S HEAVYWEIGHTS
Malta - 26.6
Greece - 25.9
Finland - 25.8
Luxembourg - 25.7
Hungary - 25.6
Cyprus - 25.6
Lithuania - 25.5
Slovenia - 25.5
Denmark - 25.5
UK - 25.4
Body Mass Index figures


SLIMMEST COUNTRIES
Italy - 24.3
France - 24.5
Austria - 24.8
Poland - 24.8
Netherlands - 24.9
Slovakia - 25.0
Belgium - 25.1
Latvia - 25.1
Estonia - 25.2
Czech Rep - 25.2
Body Mass Index figures

The full Eurobarometer report (pdf); The Obesity Blog; From The Irish Independent, Maltese top of Euro fat table.