Over a third of children aged five to 13 will be overweight or obese by 2012, according to a report published today (7 July) by research analysts Datamonitor.
Some 35% of children will fall into that category within four years, Datamonitor warned, with many of the largest Western European countries seeing numbers rise by double-digits, in percentage terms.
Datamonitor blamed above-average consumption of "energy-dense, indulgence food and drinks", including savoury snacks and ice cream.
The analysts also pointed to non-food factors including lack of exercise and the importance of travelling by car to out-of-town retail parks and leisure venues.
In the UK, 37.5% of five- to 13-year-olds will be overweight or obese, equating to 2.3m kids, by 2012, Datamonitor said.
In Italy and Spain, nations famed for their healthy diet, numbers will rise by 47.5% and 45.3% respectively, according to the Datamonitor figures.
Outside Europe, more than 40% of US children aged five to 13 will be classified as overweight or obese.
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EUROPE: Obesity to hit "third of kids by 2012" - study
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