One Out Of Six Hungarian Kids Is Overweight
According to the European research made in eight European countries Hungarian children drink too much sweet soft drinks and do not eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Moreover, they do not even sleep enough or do some sporting activity regularly – MNO.hu reported.
Hungarian, Belgian, Cypriot, Estonian, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish kids were examined in the research called I Family project to assess the health condition of the European youth. Having evaluated and summarized the Hungarian results, Dénes Molnár, the director of the Department of Paediatrics of University of Pécs noted that about 16 thousand children have been participated in this project, out of which 2323 were Hungarian kids from counties Zala and Baranya.
Biological samples have been taken from the participants and their physical activity levels have also been measured. Moreover, the participants were asked to fill out several questionnaires and to write a food diary as well. Dénes Molnár pointed out that this research was part of another project which started in 2007 and the same kids were involved in the survey seven years ago and now as well. On the basis of the results and findings, Éva Kovács who took part in the research said that 10% of the examined kids was overweight while 6% was definitely obese. This means that we, Hungarians, belong to the European average in this context.
She also highlighted that the consumption of sugar-flavoured beverages was extremely high in Hungary since our country produced the second worst results among the 8 other countries. According to statistics, kids consume sugar-flavoured drinks and milk products 16 times a week. Moreover, the consumption of fruits and vegetables is extremely low in Hungary: only 8% of the children eat them five times a day. 22% of the boys and 8% of the girls do some sporting activity for an hour daily, while only 10% of the kids sleep 10 hours daily which is considered healthy for them.
Dénes Molnár also commented that the final results of the research are, on the one hand, an informative survey and, on the other hand, an elaborated communication strategy which might help to improve the health awareness of young people via changing their customer habits. Both the results and the strategy will be sent to the European Union, to the Hungarian Government and to teachers and parents as well.
The director of the Department of Paediatrics summarized that even one little change in lifestyles – such as sport, more sleep, and more water consumption – could decrease the risk of being obese.
based on article of mno.hu
translated by Valentina Leanyfalvi
Photo: ujszo.com
Source: http://mno.hu/
