A report by the WHO Committee on the Elimination of Childhood Obesity (ECHO) underlines that for years the phenomenon was not considered a major public health problem and was also considered by some to be primarily related to lifestyle and how families deal with their children's nutrition.
But a two-year study conducted in more than 100 countries concluded that public health policies around the world must be at the forefront of halting the epidemic.
"What is the central message?" "It's not the children's fault," said Peter Glackman, co-chair of the commission.
Biological factors, inadequate access to a balanced diet, reduced physical activity in schools and lack of regulation in the trade in food products that contribute to childhood obesity are among the main causes contributing to the worsening of the epidemic, which requires a global , coordinated reaction, noted in the research.
According to the WHO, the number of obese or overweight children has increased by 10 million worldwide since 1990, from 31 to 41 million in 2014, and there are now more obese and overweight children in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
In developing countries, the number of obese children more than doubled, from 15,5 million in 2014 to 7,5 million in 1990, due to globalization and urbanization, the WHO report said.
Particularly in Africa, the number of obese or overweight children almost doubled, from 5,4 million to 10,3 in the same period.
"Overweight and obesity affect the quality of life of every child, as they face a wide range of physical and psychological barriers to their health," said Sania Nistar, co-chair of ECHO.
"We know that obesity also has an impact on children's educational performance and this - combined with the likelihood that children will become obese in adulthood - has far-reaching consequences for the health and financial situation of the children themselves and their families. but also of all the societies in which they live.
Advertising promotes unhealthy foods and beverages has been a major factor in increasing the number of obese and overweight children, especially in developing countries, the WHO said.
Nearly half of obese and overweight children under the age of five live in Asia and 25% in Africa.
According to the report, Libya, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Botswana have the highest rates of overweight children in Africa.
Children who do not have adequate access to a balanced diet in the first years of life are at particularly high risk of becoming obese when the amount of food they consume and their activity levels change, the WHO notes.
At the same time, children of both immigrants and indigenous peoples are also at high risk of obesity due to abrupt cultural changes and limited access to health services.
The report notes that the obesity epidemic could potentially upset health spending around the world and called on governments to address one of the biggest health challenges facing the body.
Among other recommendations, the organization urges governments to promote healthy eating, exercise and a healthy school environment.
Source: RES-EAP