The UK is now the third fattest nation in Europe – fuelled by its boozy lifestyles, the World Health Organisation has warned.

Research on 53 countries found Britain rising up the obesity league tables, and among the “world champions” for alcohol consumption.

The WHO said the trends were “alarming” and threatened to cut short the lives of generations growing up on a diet of junk food and alcohol.

The study of 900 million people found that only Malta and Turkey have higher levels of obesity than Britain, which has risen from fifth place, in just six years.

The UK’s alcohol consumption levels are among the highest in Europe, on a par with countries such as Poland and Latvia, the international statistics.

Officials warned that such habits are likely to be a “huge contributor” to Britain’s obesity rates.

On average, Britons drink 10.7 litres of pure alcohol a year, compared with a European average of 8.6.

In total, 27.8 per cent of adults are obese, the international study shows, while 63.7 per cent are classed as overweight or obese. The worsening trends have seen Britain overtake Lithuania and Andorra for obesity.