The new report’s findings are based on the latest data gathered in 2018–2020 in 33 countries of the WHO European Region. In total, almost 411,000 children aged 6–9-years-old were measured.
The report found that childhood obesity undermines health across the European Region. Almost One in three school-aged children (29%) in the region are overweight or obese and the rates are increasing in many countries. Prevalence was higher among boys (31%) than girls (28%).
The report also reveals that almost all children (87%) across the region play outside for at least an hour daily, 43% of children eat fruit every day and 34% eat vegetables daily.
COSI data has shown a decreasing trend in overweight prevalence in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain since its first edition in 2007–2008. Despite the decrease, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in these countries especially in southern Europe are still among the highest in the region.
Dr Kremlin Wickramasinghe, interim head of the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, which produced the report, commented: “We urgently need better policies that can help us to reverse current childhood obesity trends – especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic that is seen as a dangerous driver of overweight and obesity levels.”