Child and adolescent obesity and underweight rates are rising globally and in Lithuania, with varying national responses.
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Globally, the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has risen significantly from 2% to 8% between 1990 and 2022, affecting over 160 million young people, with numbers expected to increase. In Lithuania, while obesity is a concern, the increase in rates among 7-17 year olds has been smaller, with obesity rising by 0.5% and overweight by 1.1% over eight years. Specific regional data shows varying rates, with the lowest in ล ilalฤ and Vilnius, and the highest in Trakai for obesity and Neringas for overweight. Experts suggest that issues like being underweight or developing eating disorders often share common roots, emphasizing the importance of the quality of relationships between children and parents, rather than solely blaming diet or psychological issues. While public awareness of healthy lifestyles is growing, understanding eating disorders remains lacking, prompting preventative work. In Spain, the situation is critical, with 55.8% of the population being overweight and 18.7% being obese, leading the government to establish a committee to implement a national strategy to reduce childhood obesity. Experts note that parents often find it difficult to accept that their own behavior contributes to their child’s weight issues. In Austria, one in three adolescents struggles with being underweight, and a young person shared that society often views being underweight as a choice rather than an illness.
