BULGARIA IS FIFTH IN EUROPE IN CHILD OBESITY

Obesity has become a problem worldwide. Being overweight has a negative impact not only on health but also on education and children's life, reports BGNES.

According to the World Association for the Study of Obesity, there are 224,898 school-age children in Bulgaria who are overweight. This means that 26.20% of the Bulgarian children aged between 5 and 18 years are overweight.

According to estimates, in 2025 this percentage would be 26.85% or 235,459 children, the Bulgarian Association for the Study of Obesity and related diseases informed.

Bulgarian children are high on the list in terms of time spent in front of computer and TV screens. Also, there is an increase in the percentage of consumption of confectionery and beverages (juices, carbonated and energy drinks); high consumption of fat; high consumption of salt; underage drinking and frequent and high consumption of alcoholic beverages among students over the age of 14.

October 11 is the World Day to combat obesity, with 'Ending Childhood Obesity' as this year's theme.