Austria reports sharp rise in childhood obesity diagnoses

Data from the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) reveals a significant rise in obesity diagnoses among children and adolescents in Austria. Documented cases of obesity in individuals aged zero to 17 increased by 83 percent over two years, rising from 775 to 1,415. Ambulatory treatments for obesity also saw a sharp increase, climbing from 503 in 2024 to 1,047 in 2025.

Regional data shows that Styria recorded the highest number of obesity diagnoses in 2025, while Upper Austria also reported a notable upward trend. These findings align with the World Health Organization’s Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) report, which indicates that approximately one in three boys and one in four girls in the third school grade are overweight or obese.

In response, Hans Niessl, President of Sport Austria, is calling for the full implementation of daily movement units in all kindergartens and schools to combat the trend. Health experts recommend that children and adolescents aged six to 18 engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to high-intensity physical activity daily.