From Iceland — Icelanders Most Overweight Of Nordic Peoples

Icelanders Most Overweight Of Nordic Peoples

Published November 15, 2012

New research released by the Nordic Council shows that Icelanders are the most overweight of the Nordic peoples, not eating enough fruits and vegetables, while not exercising very much.
The report (.pdf file) measured the eating and exercise habits of Icelanders, Norwegians, Danes, Swedes and Finns. Part of their results showed that “Iceland had the highest percentage of overweight (approx. 39%) and obese participants (approx. 18%).”
Other results showed that “Iceland had the highest total intake of sugar-rich food”, that “oil is the most commonly used grease for cooking in all countries, especially in Iceland” and that the intake of vegetables decreased with age. Iceland also had the lowest overall intake of fruits and vegetables per day (including fruit juice).
At the same time, Icelanders also engage in the least amount of physical activity of any of the Nordic peoples, and had the highest BMI.
The Directorate of Health, in their summary of the report, indicated that they were looking forward to when the next survey will be published, in 2014, to see if things have developed in a more positive direction.

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