Buenos Aires schools report 44% of first-graders have excess weight

Results from the Salud Escolar Bonaerense program indicate that 44% of first-grade students evaluated in Buenos Aires province schools have excess weight. Of these students, 17% were identified as obese and 27% as overweight. Health Minister Nicolás Kreplak announced that affected children are being referred for secondary evaluations.

Unicef attributes the rise in childhood obesity and overweight to the consumption of processed foods high in sugar, salt, and trans fats, alongside the widespread availability of sugary drinks. Decreased physical activity is also cited as an amplifying factor.

In its first year, the program has reached 38,885 students across 1,819 educational establishments, covering 43.7% of state schools. Beyond weight concerns, the program identified other health needs: 32% of referred students required dental care—half of whom had cavities—and 22.2% required ophthalmological consultations. Additionally, 17,115 scheduled vaccines were administered during the sessions.