"Obesity, the silent epidemic"/ WHO raises the alarm: 1 in 4 men is obese, the number has also increased in children over 5 years old

Obesity is turning into a silent epidemic and for this WHO has raised the alarm as Albania is also going with increasing numbers.

Nearly 25% of men aged 20 and over in our country are obese, and women are almost at these numbers. The situation among young children is alarming as 14% of those aged 5 and over are obese and obesity figures are expected to increase annually by 2.6%

With this increase in obesity figures, the World Health Organization predicts that by 2035, nearly 37% of Albanians will be obese.

It all starts with children's food since childhood, where unfortunately our children are found with patetina in their hands or canned food and carbonated drinks. In addition to this, children today, most of them are growing up without physical activity, but sitting for hours with a phone in hand or an iPad.

Health experts ask parents to take care of food from pregnancy by avoiding harmful foods and then guide their young children only towards healthy foods.

But on the other hand, physical activity should be promoted among children by prohibiting the use of electronic devices until a certain age.

In 2035, it is predicted that 40% of 20-year-old men will be obese and 33% of girls as well. This trend of increasing obesity figures is seen for all European countries, where according to the latest statistics, 60% of adults and 30% of children are obese, according to the WHO report. Overweight is a threat to human health.

It is an important factor for many diseases. Obesity is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure and other heart problems.

therefore, the WHO calls on governments to intervene to curb obesity among young people, since the rates of diseases are predicted to be very high in their youth.