Experts say there is an epidemic of childhood obesity

An epidemic of childhood obesity has begun in the world, said the World Obesity Federation (WOF).

Currently, 180 million children worldwide suffer from the disease, and by 2040 their number will rise to 227 million, the federation predicts. Obesity can cause early signs of heart disease, diabetes and liver disease in a child, WOF noted.

According to the report, high levels of childhood obesity are observed both in countries with high living standards, such as Australia, Greece and Argentina, and in countries where living standards are low, such as Papua New Guinea, Albania and Algeria.

In 2000, Russia was in seventh place among countries in terms of obesity, but in 2024 it ceased to be even in the top 20. Last year, 2.259 million children aged five to ten years and 2.849 million adolescents aged ten to 19 suffered from this disease in the country, according to the federation.

Among the main causes of obesity in children, experts named the presence of this disease or diabetes in mothers, smoking during pregnancy, insufficient breastfeeding, poor-quality nutrition in kindergartens and schools, increased consumption of foods with a lot of sugar and sweeteners, lack of physical activity and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods.

The World Obesity Federation called on country authorities to address the main causes of childhood obesity, that is, to establish effective diagnosis, treatment and nutrition among mothers and children, as well as prevention of smoking and alcoholism.

Federation experts recommended making menus in schools and kindergartens healthier, as well as encouraging children and adolescents to have an active lifestyle and exercise.