A recent survey conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Health and UNICEF has revealed troubling trends in the health and eating habits of children in Greece, highlighting an urgent need to combat childhood obesity. The survey, which polled parents of children up to 17 years old, found that one in four children do not eat breakfast daily, and fruit and vegetable consumption significantly declines as children age. Even more concerning, only 20.3% of parents recognize that their child is overweight, while two-thirds of parents believe their children’s weight is within a normal range.

These findings were presented at the Museum of Cycladic Art by Deputy Minister of Health Irene Agapidaki during an event aimed at addressing childhood obesity. Conducted as part of the National Action Against Childhood Obesity, the survey’s results were analyzed by Thomas Gerakis, President and CEO of MARC, who emphasized the need for immediate action.

The data paints a bleak picture of physical activity among children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children and adolescents should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise daily. However, only 20.6% of adolescents (ages 15-17) and 34.1% of the total sample meet this requirement. Additionally, screen time has become a major issue, with children spending an average of 2.4 hours per day on non-educational screen activities, rising to 3 hours for adolescents.

Parents express a growing concern for healthier dietary options and reducing screen time, acknowledging that the state can play a crucial role. They have called for targeted actions in schools, subsidized sports programs, and information campaigns to improve their children’s health. However, only 28.4% of parents are fully aware of the WHO’s recommendations on physical activity for children.

National Efforts to Tackle Childhood Obesity

Deputy Minister of Health Irene Agapidaki spoke about the government’s commitment to tackling childhood obesity through a comprehensive national program:

“We carefully designed the National Action Against Childhood Obesity with full respect for children and their parents. For us, it is essential that children have every opportunity to eat healthily and exercise. Parents need to be informed about the issue, to recognize the signs of obesity, and understand the long-term health risks. As someone who battled weight issues in childhood, I understand the factors that contribute to obesity, and I am determined to change this environment in collaboration with parents, educators, and organizations. In a few days, we will announce specific actions with practical tools to combat childhood obesity.”

A Collaborative Effort with UNICEF

UNICEF’s Diplomatic Representative in Greece, Dr. Ghassan Khalil, highlighted the importance of evidence-based programs and collaboration with key stakeholders:

“UNICEF’s interventions are always grounded in scientific data, and listening to the voices of children, families, and caregivers is central to our approach. Our partnership with the Ministry of Health aims to put children’s health and rights at the forefront of the national agenda. We are also expanding our collaboration with the media to ensure the public is well-informed about children’s health and the steps needed to combat childhood obesity.”

A Nationwide Program for Healthier Futures

The National Action on Childhood Obesity is Greece’s first comprehensive initiative to prevent and address childhood obesity. It aims to promote healthy eating and increased physical activity for children aged 0-17. The program offers families free access to nutritionists, ongoing medical support, and advice for teachers, as well as free access to sports programs.

To learn more about the program, parents and children can visit https://paxisarkiakaipaidi.gov.gr. A new app will soon be available, providing personalized tools to guide families toward healthier lifestyles. Together, through education, physical activity incentives, and mutual support, Greece can fight the growing crisis of childhood obesity and ensure a healthier future for its children.