Obesity in Germany

[1] Data released by the World Health Organization in 2014 showed that while an issue of growing concern, within the European Union, Germany had an incidence of overweight and obese adults as a percentage of the total population at 54.8% as in comparison with France at 60.7%, Spain at 60.9% or the United Kingdom at 63.4%.

[5][6] However, the United Kingdom, Greece and certain countries in Eastern Europe have a higher rate of "truly obese" people.

[13] A survey in 2007 had Germany listed as the country with "the highest proportion of overweight children in Europe.

[16] A high consumption of beer, fatty and processed foods and a lack of exercise are to be blamed for obesity in Germany.

"[19] The profit margin for fruits and vegetables was below five percent while confectionery, soft drinks and snacks was at 15% or more.

[20] Scientists at the German Institute of Human Nutrition and the University Hospital of Leipzig stated that identified two genes that promote fat accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

[21] The increased activity of the genes also promotes the release of an enzyme that is responsible for the formation of cortisol.

[22] The industries affected are security and emergency services and skilled manual work sectors.

[22] A clothing-related study revealed that many clothing companies plan to adjust their sizing partly due to Germany's obesity epidemic.

[24] In Germany, 600,000 people suffered from diabetes near the end of World War II compared to eight million now.

[5][6] The program will try and meet the target by improving the quality of food offered in schools and hospitals along with increasing exercise levels in children.

[27] A hospital in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia started Projekt Kugelblitz to help obese children and adolescence.

[29] The aim of the program is to "improve the self-perception, so that the participants develop more sensitive to the context of frustration and compulsive eating, and the selection and preparation of foods and of exercise and well-being".

[29] An anti-obesity clinic in Wesseling, North Rhine-Westphalia works with a maximum of eight participants for 27 months.

[30] North Rhine-Westphalia introduced fitness test for students in the second grade due to an increase of children and adolescents being overweight.