Obesity is a grave health risk for current and future generations. The International Stevia Council supports the European Obesity Day which aims to create awareness about obesity and help European citizens make the necessary changes to their lifestyle to manage their weight and improve their health.
It is currently reported that over half of the European population is overweight or obese and that child obesity is becoming a grave health risk for future generations. This is particularly prevalent in Western Europe led by the UK where over 23% of the population are currently classified as obese. Carl Horn, Vice-President of the International Stevia Council, says, "Excess weight and obesity in the European population is constantly rising. Stevia extract - a plant-based calorie-free sweetener – offers people a great variety and natural origin alternative to reduce total calorie intake and reach a desirable weight management."
Consumer research shows that European consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about their calorie intake (1). This concern is a general trend across Europe which accounted for 50% of individual stevia-sweetened lower calorie product launches globally in 2012 – the highest growth of any region (2).