The new study from Uppsala University points out that overweight and, above all, obesity, increased among four-year-olds in the country.
It is about an increase in obesity by over 30 percent.
- It was surprising to us that the greatest increase was seen for the disease obesity.
It indicates that those who had a tough time before the pandemic had it even worse in 2020, says Charlotte Nylander from child health care in Sörmland in a statement on the region's website.
Sörmland above average
In Sörmland, the percentage of four-year-olds with overweight and obesity increased from 14 percent to 17 percent between the investigated years 2018 and 2020. This is significantly above the national average, where the figure was 13.3 percent for 2020.
Problems persist
According to Region Sörmland, it is well known that overweight and obesity cause many health problems in children and young people.
In addition, the problems are often maintained into adulthood and affect health negatively even then.
- Therefore, it is important to establish good lifestyle habits early in life and to follow health habits and growth over time.
Health promotion and prevention efforts are needed at many levels in society to avoid children getting the disease obesity, says Charlotte Nylander.
In the clip below, Johannes Hedlund, who works as a strategist at Region Sörmland, gives his three best tips for getting children moving.
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Hear Johannes Hedlund give his three best tips in the clip.
Photo: SVT