Human girth is growing with the popularity of fast food, researchers warn today.
A World Health Organisation study has found that as sales of fast food increase in a country, so does the average weight of the population.
The researchers called for tighter regulation of food sales to counter the problem.
Their findings, reported in the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation, come from a study of 25 wealthy countries in the ten years up to 2008 at the outset of the global recession.
The research found the biggest increases in fast food consumption were in Canada, Australia and Ireland. In Canada each person on average had 16 more helpings of fast food annually in 2008 than in 199.
In contrast in Italy, the Netherlands and Greece, consumption of fast food increased by less than two helpings.
The researchers found that people ate less animal fat at the end of the period than at the beginning – but there was a slight increase in the total amount of calories consumed.
Dr Francesco Branca, of WHO, said: "Policies targeting food and nutrition are needed across several sectors including agriculture, industry, health, social welfare and education.
"Countries where the diet is transitioning from one that is high in cereals to one that is high in fat, sugar and processed foods need to take action to align the food supply with the health needs of the population."
Bulletin of the World Health Organization 3 February 2014
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