The World Health Organization warns of an "epidemic" that is spreading in Europe

In a new report published on Tuesday, the World Health Organization warned of an "epidemic" of overweight and obesity in Europe, killing more than 1.2 million people annually.

The organization, with its European branch, which includes 53 countries, noted that "the rates of overweight and obesity have reached epidemic levels across the region and are on the rise."

According to the World Health Organization, nearly a quarter of adults in Europe are obese, making the prevalence of obesity higher than in any other region except the Americas.

"Increased body mass index is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease," WHO Director for Europe Hans Kloe said in the report.

Thus, overweight and obesity are the causes of more than 1.2 million deaths annually, which represents more than 13% of deaths in the region, according to the study.

Obesity causes at least 13 different types of cancer, and is likely to be directly responsible for at least 200,000 new cases of cancer annually, according to the World Health Organization.

The organization warned that "this number is expected to rise further in the coming years."

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