Obesity in the Middle East and North Africa

Why are Greek kids getting fatter?

Efthymos Kapantais, president of the Hellenic Medical Association for Obesity (HMAO), told daily newspaper Kathimerini this week that many Greek people are being “forced to eat low-cost foods, which are often foods of low nutritional value”. This has led to extremely high rates of obesity, particularly among children.

Health habits of Greek teens, alarming rise in obesity

One in five Greek teens are struggling in the battle of the bulge, claiming to be permanently on a diet according to the University Mental Health Research Institute (EPIPSY). 30% of teens have a negative image of their body, whereas girls are more likely to be stricter when evaluating their bodies than boys.

Obesity Problem Grows in Romania

Almost 15 per cent of Romania's 4.5 million children are also obese, the Eurostat report said, and the number of grossly overweight children has doubled over the past eight years.

"The main causes of obesity among children are unhealthy lifestyles and the consumption of junk food, which has replaced at least one regular meal a day for many," said Romanian doctor Gabriela Roman.