Monitoring children at different ages
Results of the Corpulence Studies for 7- to 9-Year-Olds (Grades 1–2)
Overweight and obesity in children have major consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality, both in the short term (respiratory, orthopedic, metabolic, and psychosocial problems, etc.) and in the long term (persistent obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, etc.).
The first study, conducted in 2000, involved 1,582 CE1-CE2 students from 70 randomly selected elementary schools in 11 of the 26 school districts in metropolitan France. The anthropometric data collected allowed for an estimate of the prevalence of overweight among these children aged 7 to 9 years at 18% (including 4% who were obese).
The 2007 study involved 2,525 second- and third-grade students from 81 randomly selected elementary schools in 64 of the 96 metropolitan departments. A comparison of the two studies revealed a stabilization in the prevalence of overweight and obesity over the period among children in this age group. This stabilization has also been demonstrated in other studies, though always unevenly across socioeconomic categories.
The third study, conducted in 2016, involved 5,071 second- and third-grade students from 196 randomly selected elementary schools in 90 of the 96 metropolitan departments. The stabilization of overweight (including obesity) was confirmed among girls (21% in 2007, 19% in 2016, a non-significant difference), and a significant decline was observed among boys (from 18% in 2007 to 14% in 2016). The gap between girls and boys was also significant for the first time compared to the results from 2000 and 2007. Furthermore, among girls, the prevalence of overall thinness increased significantly, rising from 10% in 2007 to 14% in 2016.
rapport/synthèse
22 May 2019
Body mass index of children aged 7 to 9 enrolled in grades 2 and 3 in France in 2016
rapport/synthèse
6 September 2019
Prevalence of overweight and obesity and determinants of physical inactivity among children aged 7 to 9 in France in 2007
rapport/synthèse
5 June 2019
Overweight and Obesity Among Children Aged 7 to 9. France, 2000
Results of the 2012–2013 Epifane Study, 0–1 Year
According to Epifane data, in 2012, 74% of infants received breast milk in the maternity ward (59% exclusively or predominantly, 15% in combination with infant formula). By one month of age, only half (54%) were still being breastfed, and only 35% exclusively or predominantly. Among children breastfed at birth, half were still being breastfed at 15 weeks, with the median duration of exclusive or predominant breastfeeding estimated at 3.5 weeks. At 6 months, only one in four children was still breastfed, and more than half of the breastfed children were also consuming infant formula. At one year, only 9% of children were still receiving breast milk.
Breastfeeding in the maternity ward was more common among mothers aged 30 and older, who were married, born abroad, with an educational level higher than a high school diploma, who did not smoke during pregnancy, who attended one or more childbirth preparation classes, who had direct skin-to-skin contact with their child within the hour following delivery, and whose partner had a positive view of breastfeeding. Most of these variables were also associated with higher breastfeeding rates at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Regarding the introduction of solid foods, more than half of the children (54%) began it between 4 and 6 months. While overall, mothers generally followed the recommendations for introducing solid foods, the results show that certain foods, such as fats and eggs, warrant specifically tailored messaging.
See also
rapport/synthèse
11 July 2025
Infant Feeding During the First Year of Life. Results of the 2012–2013 Epifane Study
Results of School Health Surveys
Data from the survey conducted in 2003–2004 among ninth-grade students were analyzed by Santé publique France. The analysis of this survey showed that ninth-grade students constituted a population at risk for unhealthy dietary behaviors. These data confirm the importance of health promotion initiatives for this age group and highlight the need to consider socioeconomic factors when designing such programs.
Additionally, analyses were conducted on the factors associated with adolescents’ perceptions of their weight. Thus, among groups of adolescents of the same body type (thin, normal weight, overweight, or obese), the frequency of weight-control behaviors differs depending on whether they overestimate or underestimate their weight. This study confirms that, like measured weight, the perception of weight must be taken into account in the design of public health policies targeting adolescents.
In relation to
thematic dossier
Cancers
Les cancers représentent en France la première cause de décès chez l’homme et la deuxième chez la femme. Santé Publique France copilote la surveillance épidémiologique et participe à leur prévention.
thematic dossier
Cardiovascular disease and stroke
Les maladies cardio-neuro-vasculaires regroupent un ensemble de troubles affectant le cœur et les vaisseaux sanguins.
