A quarter of Irish women are medically obese and they are less healthy than other European women in more ways too.

New international research out today shows strokes, heart attacks and cancer are among the biggest killers, and women here are also more likely to die from preventable disease than other Europeans.

They are also less healthy than their male peers.

The group recorded the 4th-highest rate of cancer deaths in Europe while men placed 22nd.

Irish Examiner journalist Ann Cahill says the perception is way off the reality. “The funny thing is that when people were asked also as part of this ‘how do they think their health was’, the Irish were right up there number 1 – 83 percent – saying it was good or very good” she said. “That’s despite the fact that when they were questioned more closely, 28 – almost 30 percent – admitted they had long-standing illnesses or health problems” she added.