Portugal is among the developed countries with the lowest rates of fast-food consumption and obesity, according to a recent study by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The study’s goal was to gauge the link between obesity and the deregulation of food products in 25 OECD-member countries.
Roberto de Vogli, the main researcher and a professor at the University of California, said: “Portugal is one of the countries with the lowest consumptions of fast food and with the lowest body mass index levels (BMI).”
“Our study shows that all the countries saw a rise in the consumption of fast-food and BMI – but the countries that deregulated their economy gradually and minimally registered more discreet increases,” he added.
He explained that Portugal implemented “more restrictive market policies” which may have helped to keep obesity levels down, while other countries liberalised their policies thus promoting the rise of fast-food companies.
To prove his point, de Vogli said: “Portugal has BMI levels which are much lower than Anglo-Saxon countries like the USA, Canada or Australia, where there is a more deregulated market and where fast-food consumption and obesity are more common.”
Nonetheless, a study published in October 2013 revealed that obesity still affects 10% of the Portuguese population.
