Balearic obesity is the lowest in Spain

ACCORDING to the Spanish Cardiology Society, the lowest obesity rates in Spain are in the Balearic Islands.

The Balearics have the lowest rates of obesity registering at 10.5 per cent. Cataluña is second-lowest with 15.5 per cent. The highest rates, on the other hand, are in Asturias, Galicia and Andalucia.

The Spanish Cardiology Society points out that 39.3 per cent of Spaniards between the ages of 25 and 64 are considered overweight, and more than 21 per cent of them are categorised as obese.

The data comes from a nutritional study of the Spanish population, which analysed a total of 3,800 men and women. Men were found to be more prone to being overweight with a notable weight gain in the 25-34 age group. Women tended to put on weight later in life.

Professor at the University of Navarre Javier Aranceta-Bartrina emphasised the need for preventive measures to be taken. He pointed out that being overweight suggests a poorer quality of life and an increased burden for the health service, and stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle.