Skopje, 4 March 2024 (MIA) - In our country, adult obesity rates have surged by 13.6%, and among children and adolescents, it's up by 7.4% compared to 1990. There are differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity according to gender, with obesity being more common among boys, unlike girls. Most overweight and obesity children live in urban areas, according to the press release by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on World Obesity Day – March 4.

“The physical inactivity among children due to decreased opportunities for safe environments that promote active play and movement leads to less physical activity and increased use of digital devices, as key determinants of obesity: approximately 40% of children aged six to nine spend over two hours daily watching TV or using digital devices. While 48% of children are engaged in sports or dance activities for at least two hours per week; more than half, 63%, actively walk or cycle to and from school,” WHO said.

Socioeconomic status of children’s families and the availability of food in and around the school environment impact children’s dietary habits, reads the press release.

“A total of 32% of children aged six to nine consume sugar sweetened beverages more than three days a week. Half of the children are consuming sugary snacks more than three days a week, with 8.4% indulging multiple times daily. Furthermore, only 24% of children are consuming fresh fruit daily, while 21% are regularly consuming fresh vegetables,” WHO said.

According to the latest data, a 30.5% of children aged six to nine are living with excess weight or obesity. Even more concerning, 13.8% of these children are obese or severely obese.

“Obesity is a complex chronic disease. The causes are well understood, as are the interventions needed to contain the crisis, which are backed by strong evidence. The core interventions are: actions to support healthy practices from day 1, including breastfeeding promotion, protection and support; regulations on the harmful marketing of food and beverages to children; school food and nutrition policies, including initiatives to regulate the sales of products high in fats, sugars and salt in proximity of schools; fiscal and pricing policies to promote healthy diets; nutrition labelling policies; public education and awareness campaigns for healthy diets and exercise; standards for physical activity in schools; and integration of obesity prevention and management services into primary health care,” reads the press release.

“Getting back on track to meet the global targets for curbing obesity will take the work of governments and communities, supported by evidence-based policies from WHO and national public health agencies. Importantly, it requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products,” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Photo: EPA