Greece becomes a model country against childhood obesity with UNICEF's help
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The results of the initiatives in Greece to tackle childhood obesity have been presented, showing outstanding progress.
With a substantive stocktaking and tangible, measurable results that are changing the landscape for public health in the country, the official closing event of the National Action against Childhood Obesity in Greece has taken place.
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This major initiative was implemented by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with UNICEF, as part of the National Recovery Plan “Greece 2.0” and with funding from the European Union.
The data presented show that this effort has succeeded in changing Greek families’ attitudes to diet and exercise.
Moreover, the success of the Greek model has crossed borders, with the World Health Organization (WHO) now describing Greece as a “model country” and recognising its leading role in the relevant policy debate in Southern Europe.
In her remarks, the Deputy Minister of Health, Irini Agapidaki, set out the direction for the next phase, noting: “For years, our country was faced with a reality that did none of us credit. Greece’s unenviable first places in Europe were not just depressing figures in some report. They were a clear warning about the health of the next generation. We decided not to sit idly by.
“Together with UNICEF we designed a strategy that moved out of offices, into schools and changed mindsets. The most encouraging thing is that Greece moved from denial to action, as more than 75% of parents have now been informed about or involved in the programme. This shows that the initiative has reached the whole country.”
RelatedProgramme results
The programme was rolled out at multiple levels, reaching every corner of Greece:
- Personalised nutritional counselling: More than 1,900 overweight or obese children received free, specialist support through 13,000 one-to-one sessions with 60 dietitians-nutritionists. Of these, eight in 10 children lost weight and now have a normal body mass index. In addition, four in 10 children who were obese and had a clinical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia improved their indicators and overall health, and their medication was significantly reduced. At the same time, 1,124 paediatricians and health professionals were trained, while a dedicated digital referrals platform was created. The frequency with which children’s weight and height are recorded during visits to the paediatrician also increased, from 69% to 72.5%, indicating stronger preventive monitoring.
- “Food for Action” in schools: An interministerial circular established the programme nationwide, with 7,656 teachers and parents registered for the digital toolkits and seminars. As many as 31 schools operated as “Health Hubs” with the participation of 3,492 children and 1,390 parents, while 694 physical education teachers were trained to use sport as a means of promoting healthy behaviour.
- Access for all: Specially adapted educational toolkits were designed and distributed for children with disabilities and special educational needs, ensuring their equal participation.
- Healthy meals: More than 130,000 healthy meals and fresh fruit were distributed to pupils in 435 primary schools.
- “The Journey of Food”: 99,328 adolescents took part in 4,900 workshops in 1,625 schools. Through visits to open-air markets in 23 municipalities, pupils collected and distributed more than 20 tonnes of surplus food to vulnerable families.
- More than 135,000 children took part in free sports activities under the programme. Children’s participation in organised sports increased from 52.5% to 60%, while the proportion of children who remain active for at least one hour a day rose from 49.9% to 52.8%.
- Festivals of exercise and nutrition: 18,345 pupils turned out for major open events in more than 40 municipalities and all 13 regions, from Evros, Alexandroupoli and Grevena to Corfu, Rhodes, Crete, Athens and Thessaloniki.
Greater awareness among parents
Parents’ awareness of WHO recommendations on healthy eating for children and adolescents increased from 29.4% to 43.7%, a rise of 16.3 percentage points.
Awareness of WHO recommendations on physical activity and exercise rose from 28.4% to 42.5%, an increase of 14.1 percentage points.
Some 73.5% of parents state that they have been involved by receiving a service provided under the National Action against Childhood Obesity. The initiative has reached everywhere.
Experts estimate that, if these monitoring and management structures continue to operate, childhood obesity rates in Greece will show a steady decline up to 2040.
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