The Gasol Foundation recently published an alarming study showing that the problem of childhood obesity in Spain is becoming increasingly serious. The research highlights the relationship between the decline in consumption of the Mediterranean diet and the increase in ultra-processed foods as major factors contributing to this growing health problem.
from research It appears that the eating habits of children and young people in Spain are worrying. Only 4 in 10 children eat at least one piece of fruit per day, and up to 86% of children don’t eat enough vegetables (less than the recommended two portions per day).
Only 8% of children consume the recommended amount of carbohydrates, such as pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, couscous or quinoa, and only 5% of children eat enough whole grain products.
In addition, only 26% of children eat the recommended amount of meat (white meat 3-4 times a week, red meat 2 times a week), and only 40% of children eat enough fish (2-3 times a week). . So there is clearly room for improvement when it comes to the eating habits of children and young people in Spain.
to Alarming numbers Overweight and obesity in children is due to the decline in the number of people following the Mediterranean diet. This diet is rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grain products, fatty fish and healthy oils. At the same time, we are seeing an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed and sugary foods. These products often contain a lot of saturated fat, salt and added sugars, and have low nutritional value.
Unhealthy eating habits have serious consequences for children’s health. According to Gasol Foundation research, one in three children is overweight, and 12% are obese. These numbers have increased mainly among girls, whose prevalence of overweight was much lower than boys in 2000, but is now equal.
The peak of obesity usually occurs between the ages of 6 and 9 years, with 40% of children in this age group being overweight. However, there are also signs that obesity begins to occur very early.
Being overweight and obese at a young age has serious consequences for long-term health. According to the Gasol Foundation, there is a high probability that overweight children will continue to gain weight throughout their lives if they keep the excess weight off during adolescence. This increases the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
