Childhood obesity and declining physical fitness reported in Portugal and Europe

Recent studies highlight a concerning decline in the health and physical fitness of children in Europe and specifically in Portugal.

In Portugal, data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) reveals that nearly 40% of children aged 5 to 14 are overweight or obese. Specifically, 22.6% are overweight and 12.9% are obese, with obesity being more prevalent in boys (15%) than girls (10.7%). The study identifies a high consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, noting that approximately 81,000 children consume sodas daily. Regional variations exist, with the highest rates found in the Azores, the North, and Madeira.

Broadening the scope to Europe, research published in Sports Medicine – Open by the University of Zaragoza indicates a long-term decline in physical fitness among children and adolescents since 1990. Analyzing data from over 417,000 participants across approximately 20 European countries, researchers found significant decreases in muscle strength, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory capacity. Notably, flexibility has shown a continuous decline that has accelerated since 2000, while body fat mass has seen a constant increase.