A World
Health Organisation (WHO) report paints a 'bleak picture' of young people
eating and drinking too much sugar and spending too much time sitting down
A quarter
of adolescents in England and Wales eat sweets or chocolates every day and 14%
have a cola or other sugary drink daily, according to the authors of a report
that shows obesity rising among teenagers across Europe.
Even more
adolescents in Scotland have a sweet tooth, with a third eating some sort of
confectionery and 23% having a soft drink every day. And across Europe,
adolescents spend 60% of their time sitting down.
The
findings are part of a big new report on adolescent obesity in Europe, compiled
by researchers at the University of St Andrews for the World Health
Organisation. Gauden Galea, director of the WHO's division of non-communicable
diseases which includes obesity, described the findings as "a bleak
picture". Too many young people are in a harmful cycle, he wrote in
a foreword to the report. "Most young people will not outgrow obesity:
about four in every five adolescents who become obese will continue to have
weight problems as adults."
Across
Europe, the issues are the same. Young people are eating and drinking too much
sugar and too little in the way of fruit and vegetables. They spend too much of
their lives sitting down - most often at a computer screen.
Across
Europe, 4% of adolescents were obese, says the report - although data for nine
countries including those in the UK was not included because it was not
complete. Nearly one in five adolescents (19%) was either overweight or obese.
The highest levels were found mainly in southern Europe.
In 2014,
only about a third (38%) of adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 years from 40
countries and regions in Europe reported consuming fruit daily, while 3%
claimed to never eat fruit. Boys ate significantly less fruit than girls, and
as adolescents got older, their consumption dropped. Those living in wealthier
families in all countries ate more fruit. A third (36%) of adolescents reported
consuming vegetables daily, but 5% claimed never to eat vegetables.
Across
Europe, 19% on average had a daily soft drink - the UK figures were higher -
and a quarter (26%) ate sweets every day.
Physical
activity levels were low and get lower as adolescents get older. "Young
people spend approximately 60% of their waking time sitting, which makes
sedentary behaviour the most common behaviour (besides sleep) in children and
adolescents," says the report.
"Despite
sustained efforts to tackle childhood obesity, one in three adolescents is
still estimated to be overweight or obese in Europe, with the highest rates
found in southern European and Mediterranean countries. What is of particular
concern is that the epidemic is on the rise in eastern European countries, where
historically rates have been lower," said Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional
director for Europe. She called for ambitious action by governments.
"High
rates of overweight and obesity among many countries in Europe are an important
public health concern," said Dr Joanna Inchley from St Andrews, the
coordinator of the study, called health behaviour in school-age children
(HBSC). "Obese young people not only have a higher risk of developing
chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, but also face psychological
issues such as low self-esteem, depression and social isolation.
"The
proportion of young people who achieving the recommended level of daily
physical activity remains stubbornly low in most European countries, suggesting
that habitual forms of physical activity such as walking, cycling and active
play have largely disappeared from adolescent's lives."
The
Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of more than 40 organisations, said:
"Obesity, especially in young people, is a major cause for concern across
Europe just as it is in the UK.
"The
next government needs to prioritise tackling childhood obesity with measures
like the soft drinks industry levy, Public Health England's sugar reduction
programme and tighter regulations on junk food marketing to children, to give
our young people a better chance of a healthier life."
Thanks to the
National Hypnotherapy Society for this article. Hypnotherapy is a natural and holistic
method to help reduce and cut out snacking. For further information and details
about the life-changing benefits of hypnotherapy, visit Mind GeneratingSuccess.
