European children gained weight during the pandemic

The increase in obesity rates among European children aged seven to nine in recent years is directly linked to the COVID-19 pandemicstated this Wednesday the European office of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a new report, the WHO warned that the pandemic highlighted the urgency of tackling childhood obesity and argued that European countries must prioritize healthy eating and physical activity for children at all stages of development, requiring comprehensive, multi-sectoral and mandatory legislation that protects children at all times and in all situations.

To this end, he recommended restrict marketing and tax unhealthy products.

He also advocated clear nutritional labels in foods and by school programs to improve diets and promote physical activity.

Changes in children’s daily routine

The agency explained that the pandemic had a great impact on the daily routine and behaviors of school-age children, which They decreased their physical and outdoor activities, changing them to more time in front of screens due to lockdowns and school closures.

These changes were reflected in the increasing rates of overweight childrensays the document.

The UN health agency based the study on data provided by 17 European countries where 50,000 children were surveyed.

According to these data, the 36% of children increased their time watching televisionplaying online games or using social media on weekends, and 34% increased recreational screen time on weekends.

Thus, the 28% of children decreased their outdoor activities during the week and 23% reduced them on weekends.

Meanwhile, the consumption of homemade meals increased by 30% and the purchase of wholesale food by 28%.

saddest children

The effects of this alteration of childhood routines had a negative effect on health not only physical, but also mental of the kids.

The WHO highlighted that 42% of children said their feeling of happiness and well-being decreased, 20% felt sad more oftenand 25% felt lonely more often.

The WHO regional advisor for Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Kremlin Wickramasinghe, referred with concern to the findings of the research, among which he highlighted an increase in unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.

However, Wickramasinghe underlined the nuances of the study: “In some countries there were positive changes, such as more families eating together“, said.

Little consumption of fruits and vegetables

He added that detrimental trends cannot be ignored in a region where one in three children lives with overweight or obesityand the consumption of fruits and vegetables is low.

“I hope this report will sound an alarm and prompt us to take urgent measures to improve nutrition patterns and physical activity in Europe, especially creating environments that support healthy behaviors,” he stressed.

For her part, Dr. Ana Rito, one of the authors of the study, urged States to reflect on the issue in order to develop plans to address future crises while minimizing damage to health.