The WHO report confirms the increase in the number of overweight children aged 7 to 9 years. The increase in obesity rates among children is associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO confirmed Healthcare
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the number of school-aged children who are overweight and obese. This is stated in a new report from the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Behavior and Daily Routines Survey of School-Age Children was conducted between 2021 and 2023 in 17 of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region. More than 50 thousand children took part in it.
The report confirms an increase in the number of overweight children aged 7 to 9 years. This is due to the fact that during the pandemic, children spent more time in front of computer screens and other devices and were less physically active, WHO experts report.
In addition , according to the study, 42 percent of children surveyed felt less happy. One in five children reported feeling sad more often, and one in four reported feeling more lonely.
Lifestyle
WHO Regional Adviser on Diet, Physical Activity and Obesity Kremlin Wickramasinghe noted that some countries had seen positive changes, such as families spending more time together at mealtimes. However, he said there were also worrying trends, including the rise in unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles.
Wickramasinghe stressed that overweight in the European and every third child is obese, and consumption of fruits and vegetables is low. He called for urgent action to improve dietary and physical activity patterns, in particular by creating environments that promote healthy lifestyles.
Urgent Action
WHO added that the pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to combat childhood obesity, with countries in the region needing to prioritize healthy diets and physical activity for children at all stages of development. To achieve this, WHO recommends measures such as restrictions on the advertising of unhealthy products and taxes on them, clear food labeling and school-based programs to improve diets and encourage physical activity.
New WHO data can be used to improve current policies, as well as to formulate plans for future emergencies and pandemics that could lead to educational interruptions or school closures.
Read also: