Obesity is being fueled by food apps and online gaming, according to the World Health Organization

According to the World Health Organization, the way children use meal-delivery apps and the rising popularity of online gaming may be contributing to an increase in obesity in Europe.

Nearly 60% of adults and a third of children are overweight or obese, and the Covid pandemic is exacerbating the problem. According to the WHO, no European country will be able to stop obesity from rising by 2025.

According to the WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022, obesity and overweight rates have reached “epidemic proportions,” with only the Americas having more obese adults than Europe.

According to the WHO, obesity is responsible for 1.2 million deaths in Europe each year, or 13% of all fatalities, and at least 200,000 new cancer cases.

Carrying too much body fat puts you at risk for a variety of ailments, including 13 different forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease. According to the WHO report, it is also the leading cause of disability.

Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, stated, “Obesity knows no borders.”

“Our region’s countries are tremendously different, yet they are all challenged in some way.”

However, he believes that by building strong health systems in the region, “we can shift the trajectory of obesity in the region.”

The paper claims that highly digitalized food surroundings have an impact on what, when, and how individuals consume and should be continuously monitored.

Meal-delivery apps, according to the survey, play a substantial impact in increasing consumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods and beverages.

According to the survey, online gaming, which is extremely popular among children, is also considered as a cause of obesity since it inhibits physical activity and requires people to stay in one location for long periods of time.