Thinness, overweight, and obesity in 6- to 9-year-old children from 36 countries: The World Health Organization European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative-COSI 2015-2017

Published on 7 July 2021 Updated on 6 October 2021

In 2015-2017, the fourth round of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) was conducted in 36 countries. National representative samples of children aged 6-9 (203,323) were measured by trained staff, with similar equipment and using a standardized protocol. This paper assesses the children's body weight status and compares the burden of childhood overweight, obesity, and thinness in Northern, Eastern, and Southern Europe and Central Asia. The results show great geographic variability in height, weight, and body mass index. On average, the children of Northern Europe were the tallest, those of Southern Europe the heaviest, and the children living in Central Asia the lightest and the shortest. Overall, 28.7% of boys and 26.5% of girls were overweight (including obesity) and 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively, were thin according to the WHO definitions. The prevalence of obesity varied from 1.8% of boys and 1.1% of girls in Tajikistan to 21.5% and 19.2%, respectively, in Cyprus, and tended to be higher for boys than for girls. Levels of thinness, stunting, and underweight were relatively low, except in Eastern Europe (for thinness) and in Central Asia. Despite the efforts to halt it, unhealthy weight status is still an important problem in the WHO European Region.

Author(s): Spinelli Angela, Buoncristiano Marta, Nardone Paola, Starc Gregor, Hejgaard Tatjana, Júlíusson Petur Benedikt, Fismen Anne-Siri, Weghuber Daniel, Music Milanovic Sanja, García-Solano Marta, Rutter Harry, Rakovac Ivo, Cucu Alexandra, Brinduse Lacramioara Aurelia, Rito Ana Isabel, Kovacs Viktoria Anna, Heinen Mirjam M, Nurk Eha, Mäki Päivi, Abdrakhmanova Shynar, Rakhmatulleoeva Sanavbar, Duleva Vesselka, Farrugia Sant'Angelo Victoria, Fijalkowska Anna, Gualtieri Andrea, Sacchini Elena, Hassapidou Maria, Hyska Jolanda, Kelleher Cecily C, Kujundzic Enisa, Kunesová Marie, Markidou Ioannidou Eliza, Ostojic Sergej M, Peterkova Valentina, Petrauskiene Ausra, Popovic Stevo, Pudule Iveta, Russell Jonsson Kenisha, Dal-Re Saavedra Maria Ángeles, Salanave Benoît, Shengelia Lela, Spiroski Igor, Tanrygulyyeva Maya, Tichá Lubica, Usupova Zhamilya, Ozcebe Lütfiye Hilal, Abildina Akbota, Schindler Karin, Weber Martin W, Filipovic Hadziomeragic Aida, Melkumova Marina, Stojisavljevic Dragana, Boymatova Khadichamo, Williams Julianne, Breda João

Publishing year: 2021

Pages: e13214