Inequalities in childhood overweight and obesity: A call to strengthen upstream policy measures

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents across Europe is an ongoing public health crisis with both short and long-term consequences affecting health, wellbeing and society. Yet, efforts to address this crisis have mainly focused on individual behaviour change rather than addressing the social, structural and commercial determinants of obesity, leading to limited success and growing inequalities.

In this commentary we advocate for system-level action. By presenting the most recent data on childhood and adolescent obesity prevalence in the WHO European region, we highlight persistent inequalities, both within and between countries, with a focus on gender, geography and socioeconomic factors. Comprehensive, evidence-based upstream policies can address these disparities, and we advocate for structural, fiscal and regulatory action; investment in accessible parks and recreational facilities; support for a health promotion schools approach and meaningful engagement with children and adolescent to develop programmes, policies and environments that support their health.

Despite the recognition of this public health crisis and the evidence supporting effective policies, the implementation of obesity policies across Europe is limited. Key challenges include reliance on voluntary measures, resistance from commercial enterprises and the prioritization of economic growth over public health. Currently, a WHO/UNICEF Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Regional Strategy for Europe and Central Asia is under development, with obesity as a priority area providing a pivotal opportunity to harness interest and momentum to effect change as outlined in this article. Obesity policy implementation must also be accompanied by ongoing monitoring of inequalities in obesity in Europe.