You are more than what you eat

Body shape is determined by a range of factors, of which diet is only one. International comparisons show that genes, culture, physical activity and social attitudes all play their part.

Britons may be getting bigger - but they are far from the biggest. In the global league table, the UK ranks somewhere in the middle of the world's thinnest and fattest nations.

Within Europe, Sweden is the slimmest nation thanks to the popularity of muesli, skiing and a belief in physical prowess - reflected in the popularity of its sports clubs, which boast the highest membership in the EU.

The heaviest nation is Germany, where the popularity of sausages and cake, combined with a commitment to harness technology - thereby reducing effort - has seen the scales soar.

From the diminutive Chinese to the bulky Samoans, the variation in body shape is immense.

In China, a largely rural lifestyle which makes heavy physical demands, combined with a low-fat, rice-based diet, keeps the population trim.

In Samoa and the neighbouring Pacific islands, a large waist measurement is regarded as a symbol of high status and prosperity and, therefore, is seen as attractive.

There are also gender differences. Women tend to be fatter than men, a legacy of childbearing.

Despite the enormous international range in body shape, only about 20 per cent of the difference is attributable to genes.

Animal studies show that rats given an unlimited quantity of palatable food will continue to put on weight until the food is restricted. Humans may be no different.

Estimates by the World Health Organisation's taskforce on obesity suggest that, by 2005, there will be about 26 million obese adults in the United States.

On present trends, the entire US population will be obese in 35 years unless Americans curb their appetites.

- INDEPENDENT