A survey aimed at finding out what Europeans think of excess weight and obesity issues has been launched with a view to creating an official European Obesity Day.

The online survey will help demonstrate to European decision makers that this issue is one which affects European citizens and as such that they action should be taken at European Union level.

The drive was initiated by Member of European Parliament (MEP) Magor Imre Csibi, of the Belgian obese patients organisation BOLD and the National Obesity Forum in the UK.

According the World Health Organization the statistics of obesity in the whole of Europe (not just the EU) are staggering, reaching epidemic proportions. In only two decades this problem has trebled, and if no action is taken there will be an estimated 150 million obese adults (20% of the population) and 15 million obese children and adolescents (10% of the population) in the region by next year (2010). In most countries today, between 30% and 80% of adults are overweight.

You can find out more, get involved, or simply complete the survey here