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Study shows Belgians weigh less than most European citizens

12:18 17/01/2014

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has completed a study to find out how EU member states fare when it comes to weight. The findings show Belgium doing well amongst their EU neighbours, with the average Belgian weighing in at 68.8 kilograms. This puts the country slightly behind the lightweight leader, Romania, which came in at 66.4 kilograms on average. On the other end, Malta takes the prize for the heaviest average of 77.

Although the study provides an indication of overall weight, it doesn’t take an account of people’s Body Mass Index, or BMI, which includes the height of individuals in making a weight assessment.

Despite some perceived flaws in the study, it is helping draw awareness to the issue of weight and obesity problems around the EU and in Belgium. Statistics show a dramatic increase in those being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which comes as a result of weight and an unhealthy lifestyle. Health experts are using the weight study to draw attention to becoming more active and living healthy. 

Written by Andrew King