Greece faces rising childhood obesity and policy scrutiny

Greece is facing a significant public health challenge regarding childhood obesity. Data from 2019 indicated that 37.5% of children aged 2 to 14 were overweight or obese, placing the country among the highest rates in Europe. While a government target aimed to reduce this figure to 24.5% by 2025, the deadline has now been pushed back to 2030.

Member of Parliament Meropi Tzoufi has raised parliamentary questions to the Ministers of Health and Education regarding the effectiveness of government interventions and the management of public funds. Although the budget for the National Action against Childhood Obesity has increased from 44.73 million to 50.83 million euros, concerns remain regarding the transparency of spending, particularly concerning communication and advertising costs.

Additionally, new regulations for school canteens have raised concerns about the economic viability of small businesses. There is also apprehension regarding the proposed installation of vending machines in areas without canteens, which critics fear could allow larger corporations to replace local providers.

On a broader scale, a report from the medical journal The Lancet identifies obesity, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity as critical global health threats. In Greece, studies show a lack of physical activity among students, with over 80% of those aged 11-15 failing to meet recommended daily exercise levels.