Copenhagen, 11 May 2021
In some countries of the WHO European Region, 1 in 3 children aged 6 to 9 years is living with overweight or obesity. Mediterranean countries have the highest rates of obesity, but the situation there is starting to improve.
These are some of the findings of a new WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) report on the fourth round of data collection (2015–2017). The report gives the latest data available on 6- to 9-year-olds in 36 countries in the Region. A questionnaire collecting data from 2021 on the impact of the pandemic will follow from some countries.
“COVID-19 could potentially amplify one of the most worrying trends in the WHO European Region – growing childhood obesity,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Spain had the highest percentage of overweight boys A WEIGHT management expert has said, ‘be prepared for a shock’ when data is published showing how much childhood obesity has risen in Scotland during the pandemic. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that Covid-19 could potentially amplify “one of the most worrying trends in Europe”. School closures and reduced access to meals and physical activity for children is likely to have widened inequalities, it said. Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said anecdotal evidence from clinics “confirmed European fears”.
READ MORE: A major report by the WHO looking at rates of childhood obesity in Europe found that Mediterranean countries had the highest rates.
03-03-2021
Good nutrition habits can substantially decrease risks of child obesity and overweight
World Obesity Day is on 4 March, and on this occasion WHO/Europe raises the urgent need for promoting healthy eating habits among children. This recommendation is based on the results of round 4 of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI), which were recently published in an article in the journal Nutrients and in a WHO/Europe factsheet which summarizes the data.
Children’s eating habits
According to the findings, which present the dietary habits of 132 489 children, 78.8% of children eat breakfast, 42.5% consume fresh fruit every day and 22.6% consume vegetables every day. 10.3% of children consume sweet snacks and 9.4% soft drinks on a daily basis. However, there are significant differences between eating habits from country to country.
WHO/Europe | Factsheet - Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI): eating habits of children in 23 European countries (2021) who.int - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from who.int Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.