This year's motto is "Obesity Bullying", the 15th National Nutrition Day, which has been established to be celebrated every year on 10 May, highlights that children with weight problems are often put in the role of the bully.
According to today's announcement by the Cyprus Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists, the problem of obesity is also a serious concern in Cyprus, where according to the latest estimates, 29.6% of Cypriots aged 20 to 80 years old are in the normal weight category, 36.1% are in the overweight category and 27.8% in the obese category.
In order to investigate the rate of obesity and overweight in Cyprus and to ascertain the dietary habits of the Cypriot citizen, the Cyprus Dietetic Association conducted an epidemiological survey on a random sample of about 1000 individuals of the adult population (18 80 years old), selected on a pan-Cypriot scale.
The survey, which lasted three years, placed particular emphasis on the dietary habits and physical activity levels of Cypriots.
Globally, according to WHO (2021), 800 million people live with obesity.
Specifically, 49% of adults are obese or overweight, 26% of adolescents are obese or overweight, 6% of children <5 years old are obese or overweight.
According to WHO, non-communicable diseases account for 62% of all deaths and unhealthy diet is a major factor, and in children, obesity has nearly doubled every 10 years. It is noted that by 2030, it will increase to 60%, affecting 250 million children.
As the WHO states, the medical consequences of obesity are high and will cost over US$1 trillion by 2025.
"To effectively tackle this disease and stop its rise, we need effective health care and broader cross-sectoral support.[/B] Obesity is preventable," it notes.
As stated by the Cyprus Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists, regarding the issue of obesity and bullying, although there are many reasons why one child will bully another, obese children remain the first targets of bullying.
Society, it is added, stigmatizes people with obesity, creating negative emotions that accompany them throughout their lives and fosters stereotypes that are not easily removed.
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