The British are fatter than the rest of Europe, says Johnson

Reuters

Updated 29 June 2020 at 4:38 pm·2-min read

The British are far fatter than any other nation in Europe bar the Maltese so there needs to be a debate about how to tackle soaring rates of obesity which cost the country dearly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.

Johnson, who said at the start of the year that he needed to lose weight, was hospitalised in April with coronavirus and treated in intensive care with oxygen. He later said doctors in the National Health Service (NHS) had saved his life.

Asked about how ill he had been in an interview with Times Radio, Johnson said: "I did lose some weight - that is perfectly true - as you do in ICU (Intensive Care Unit)."

Journalist Boris Johnson speaks at the count in Watlington, Oxfordshire, after winning the Henley seat for the Conservatives in the 2001 General Election. The seat was Michael Heseltine's, who has stepped down at this election.

Journalist Boris Johnson yawns while watching the election results in the early hours of the morning with his wife Marina (L), at the count in Watlington, Oxfordshire, after winning the Henley seat for the Conservatives. * ...in the 2001 General Election. The seat was Michael Heseltine's, who has stepped down at this election.

Journalist Boris Johnson during a radio broadcast, at the count in Watlington, Oxfordshire, after winning the Henley seat for the Conservatives in the 2001 General Election. The seat was Michael Heseltine's, who has stepped down at this election. 13/11/2004 Boris Johnson who was Saturday November 13 2004, sacked from the Conservative frontbench amid fresh allegations about his private life, a spokesman for Tory leader Michael Howard said.

Boris Johnson watches the election results with his wife Marina (L), at the count in Watlington, Oxfordshire, after winning the Henley seat for the Conservatives in the 2001 General Election. The seat was Michael Heseltine's, who has stepped down at this election.

Boris Johnson MP and editor of the Spectator magazine arrives at Claridges Hotel in London, where he is hosting the 'Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year' Awards. 13/11/2004 Boris Johnson who was Saturday November 13 2004, sacked from the Conservative frontbench amid fresh allegations about his private life, a spokesman for Tory leader Michael Howard said.

Boris Johnson MP and editor of the Spectator in front of the Liver Building in Liverpool during a visit to the city where he apologise to the city for remarks made in his magazine about beheaded hostage Ken Bigley and the Hillsborough tragedy. 13/11/2004 Boris Johnson who was Saturday November 13 2004, sacked from the Conservative frontbench amid fresh allegations about his private life, a spokesman for Tory leader Michael Howard said.

Shadow Arts Minister Boris Johnson campaigns for donations from delegates at the Conservative Party Annual Conference in Bournemouth. 15/10/2004: Tory MP Boris Johnson who edits The Spectator magazine where a leading article has accused Liverpudlians of wallowing in what they regard as their "victim status" over the murder of Ken Bigley and the Hillsborough football disaster in 1989.

Boris Johnson, Conservative MP and editor of The Spectator magazine, at a party to mark The Spectator's 175th anniversary, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Park Lane, London. Among those also in attendance at the party were Home Secretary David Blunkett, broadcasters David Dimbleby and Andrew Neil, and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble. 16/10/2004 The Spectator editor Johnson, has been ordered by Tory leader Michael Howard to go to Liverpool to apologise for an article in his magazine accusing its people of 'wallowing' in their 'victim status'. Mr Johnson, who is also the Conservative shadow minister for the arts, said he would be travelling to the city next week in a 'spirit of complete humility' to apologise in person for the offence caused.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson stands in front of a London Transport Routemaster bus, at the London Transport Museum in central London. London mayor Boris Johnson launched a competition today to design a possible new "green" replacement for the "much missed" jump-on, jump-off double-decker Routemaster bus. The red driver-and-conductor Routemasters were withdrawn from regular service in 2005.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson during his press conference at the London Transport Museum in central London. London mayor Boris Johnson launched a competition today to design a possible new "green" replacement for the "much missed" jump-on, jump-off double-decker Routemaster bus. The red driver-and-conductor Routemasters were withdrawn from regular service in 2005.

Boris Johnson the Conservative MP for Henley in front of a poster for Pier Comedian Roy Chubby Brown in Blackpool, Monday 3 October 2005 on the first day of the Conservative Conference. Colourful Tory MP Boris Johnson today said he found the idea that Gordon Brown could defeat any leader of the Conservative Party in a General Election "absolutely unbelievable". The member for Henley and Spectator editor, who is backing David Cameron's leadership bid, said that he was not in favour of would-be leaders trying to mimic Tony Blair but called for a new approach to Conservatism. Speaking at a conference fringe meeting, he predicted success for the Tories next time the country goes to polls. He said: "I think the Tories are going to win the next election. See PA Story TORY Boris. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: PA.

Boris Johnson the Conservative MP for Henley looks through a telescope on the North Pier at Blackpool, Monday 3 October 2005 on the first day of the Conservative Conference. Colourful Tory MP Boris Johnson today said he found the idea that Gordon Brown could defeat any leader of the Conservative Party in a General Election "absolutely unbelievable". The member for Henley and Spectator editor, who is backing David Cameron's leadership bid, said that he was not in favour of would-be leaders trying to mimic Tony Blair but called for a new approach to Conservatism. Speaking at a conference fringe meeting, he predicted success for the Tories next time the country goes to polls. He said: "I think the Tories are going to win the next election. See PA Story TORY Boris. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: PA.

Boris Johnson, MP for Henley and Conservative spokesman on Higher Education, opens a footpath at the Environments Agency in Wallingford, Oxon, Friday April 7 2006. He later started a race between a car, a cyclist, runners and walkers to promote green travel. Watch for PA story.

Shadow Education Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a session in the House of Commons Thursday January 12, 2006, when MPs can question Education Secretary Ruth Kelly and her ministers about her department. She has been under pressure after she admitted that several registered sex offenders were allowed to work in schools. See PA story EDUCATION Kelly. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: PA.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson speaks at City Hall, London. Mr Johnson confirmed that he will stand down as chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) to make way for deputy mayor Kit Malthouse. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday January 27, 2010. The Tory politician took control of the MPA in October 2008 after ousting Sir Ian Blair from his post as commissioner. See PA story POLICE Johnson. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

File photo dated 6/6/2008 of Mayor of London Boris Johnson (left) and the then Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. Mayor Johnson is to stand down as chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson arrives to attend a concert for children organised by The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts at the Royal Opera House on November 14, 2008 in London.

Boris Johnson and his wife Marina arriving at the Gala Screening of 'Genova' directed by Michael Winterbottom, during the The Times BFI London Film Festival 2008, at the Odeon West End, Leicester Square, central London.

Boris Johnson arrives at the 'Evening Standard 1000 Most Influential People 2008' at the Wallace Collection in central London.

London Mayor Boris Johnson rides next to Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy (right) during the 2008 London Freewheel event in London.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson (left) with Team GB Chef De Mission Phil Lane in Beijing, China.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson during the Closing Ceremony at the National Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson clenches waving the Olympic Flag during the Closing Ceremony at the National Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China.

London Mayor Boris Johnson stand next to an appropriate sign during a visit to the athletes' village in Beijing where he is attending the last few days of the 2008 Olympic Games, and participating in the London Handover during the closing ceremony on Sunday.

London Mayor Boris Johnson visits the athletes' village in Beijing where he is attending the last few days of the 2008 Olympic Games, and participating in the London Handover during the closing ceremony on Sunday.

RETRANSMISSION: CAPTION CORRECTION: making clear he is arriving for meeting. Mayor of London Boris Johnson arrives at the Beijing International Hotel Conference Centre to meet the Mayor of Beijing Guo Jiniong ahead of the London Handover at the Closing Ceremony on Sunday of the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

London Mayor Boris Johnson leaves Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 heading to Beijing for the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympic games where the flag is then passed on to London.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, with the Heritage At Risk Register outside 65 Swinton St, London, WC1, a grade ll listed building on the Heritage At Risk register.

Boris Johnson leads Pride London 2008, the country's largest gay and lesbian carnival

(from left to right) Kelly Brook, The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and Sir Chris Hoy take part in the 2009 London Skyride event in The Mall, London.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson celebrates the start of the Royal British Legion's Pedal to Paris ride 2009 in London.

London Mayor Boris Johnson is interviewed by Nick Ferrari on the LBC 97.3 Breakfast show live in a capsule on the London Eye. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday August 07, 2009. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire

Mayor of London Boris Johnson leaves Laycock primary school in Islington, London, after voting in the local and European election.

BBC handout photo of London Mayor Boris Johnson appearing on the BBC current affairs programme, The Andrew Marr Show. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Sunday September 12, 2010. Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman said today there was a "great deal of concern" over the appointment of former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as Downing Street's communications chief speaking on the programme. London Mayor Boris Johnson - who was informed by police that his phone was probably among those hacked - said the controversy was politically motivated. "I am not aware of any single new fact which has been brought into the public domain apart from the Conservative victory, or rather the coalition's victory, at the general election," he told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show. See PA story POLITICS Phones. Photo credit should read: Jeff Overs/PA Wire

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson accompanied by Kelly Brook riding bicycles in central London to promote the London Skyride, this morning.

$London Mayor Boris Johnson stands in the door of the first new air-conditioned train in London as part of a scheme to have 40\% of tube trains air-conditioned by 2015. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 02, 2010. The train serving the Metropolitan Line is the first of 191 brand new walk-through trains. See PA story TRANSPORT Air. Photo credit should read: Katie Collins/PA Wire$

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