More than half of Dutch people are overweight - 60 percent of men and 44 percent of women. The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has looked at men and women between the ages of 30 and 70, their first major survey of this kind for 15 years.

At that time the RIVM found nearly half of men were overweight and one third of women. Compared with that survey, women between the ages of 30 and 40 have become much heavier.

A quarter of men and 40 percent of women suffer from abdominal obesity, in other words big bellies. Men are regarded as having too much abdominal fat if their waist measures more than 102 cm (40 inches). For women it’s an 88 cm (34½ inch) waist.

The RIVM says this is having a major impact on public health, with more people developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One in seven obese Dutch people are at serious medical risk.

Health Minister Edith Schippers has expressed concern about the figures and is earmarking 70 million euros to promote neighbourhood sports.

(imm/ae)

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