[Obesity among children].

Abstract

Nearly one in eight children aged 7-8 is obese on average in EU countries (Figure 4.15) (WHO Europe, 2018). Cyprus, Italy, Greece, Malta and Spain show the highest obesity rates in 7-8 year olds. The lowest child obesity rates are in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Ireland and Latvia. The obesity rate among children aged 7-8 has in fact shown signs of decrease in several EU countries between 2007-08 and 2015-17. This decrease has been particularly strong in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Slovenia, although child obesity rates in Greece and Italy still remain relatively high.