Ukraine has conducted its first large-scale study of the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school children. The study was conducted as part of the WHO European Initiative (COSI), and its results are of serious concern.
According to the study, almost a quarter of children aged 6-8 (22.96%) are overweight. Of these, 9.13% are obese, and 2.63% are severely obese. Boys are more likely to be overweight: 25.24%, while girls are 20.72%.
The main risk factors were:
- Unhealthy diet . Only half of children consume enough fruit and vegetables. Only 55.3% of children eat fresh fruit every day, and even fewer, 41.4%, eat vegetables. In contrast, one in five children (20.3%) consume sugary drinks every day, and 17.8% enjoy sweet snacks such as cookies and cakes.
- Sedentary lifestyle . A third of children do not engage in physical activity or spend less than an hour a week doing so.
- Technological addiction . On weekdays, 54.4% of children spend more than two hours a day using gadgets, and on weekends this figure increases to 83.4%.
The study was conducted among students in grades 1-2 in 20 regions of Ukraine from November 2023 to February 2024. 3,557 children, 3,601 parents, and 187 schools were surveyed. Territories under occupation or in active hostilities were not included in the study.
The results of the study indicate an urgent need to implement measures to prevent childhood obesity. It is important to strengthen educational work among parents and children, promote the development of a culture of proper nutrition and increase the level of physical activity.
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine should prioritize the fight against childhood obesity through information campaigns, school nutrition reform, and the promotion of an active lifestyle. Responsible parents, educators, and the state can together stop this alarming trend, ensuring a healthy future for children.
