- Unfortunately, children with obesity (obesity) have a very high risk of continuing to have it as teenagers and adults.
And it is known that obesity in adults shortens life and causes many sequelae, says Anton Holmgren, doctor at the children's clinic in Halmstad and one of the co-authors of the study.
Obesity in 3-year-old girls
Just over 25,000 children have been included in the survey via health checks at childcare centers in Dalarna, Jönköping County and Sörmland.
Among three- and four-year-olds, BMI (body mass index) increased during the pandemic.
For example, 3.9 percent of the three-year-old girls in the study suffer from obesity.
It is about one percentage point higher than before the pandemic.
Among five-year-olds, on the other hand, no BMI changes were detected.
Social stigma
According to Anton Holmgren, many children with obesity suffer not only physically, but also socially.
- There is an image that it depends on behavior, that you just need to sharpen up.
It becomes a social stigma and many children and young people who suffer from obesity become ill.
Biggest problem in exposed areas
The most obvious increase was among children in socio-economically disadvantaged areas.
- It is frightening that already at such young ages there are class differences linked to the risk of overweight and obesity, says Anders Holmgren.
Anders Hlmgren is connected to research in pediatrics at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg.
The other co-author of the study is Anna Fält, who does research in child health and parenting at Uppsala University.
In the clip, you can come along to the children's clinic at Halland Hospital in Halmstad and watch pediatrician Anton Holmgren explain what the increase in obesity can be and what needs to be done.