More children in Europe, including in Cyprus, are classified as overweight or obese, Health Minister Michalis Damianos said on Wednesday, announcing the approval by the Council of Ministers of the National Strategy for Improving the Quality of Life of the Population through Healthy Diet and Physical Activity, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. He also said that there is evidence that shows that Cyprus is at a higher level than other European countries as regards childhood obesity.
In his statements after a Council of Ministers meeting, Damianos said that modern lifestyle, the evolution of family structure and the subsequent adoption of new eating habits “constitute one of the most serious challenges for public health.” “Data show that in Europe, including in the Republic of Cyprus, more and more children are classified as overweight or obese,” he added.
In addition, he said, “there are many and significant risk factors responsible for premature deaths, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other conditions, which are linked to diet and level of physical activity/exercise.”
Therefore, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the country’s population, he said, the Ministry of Health has drawn up a National Strategy, which provides, among other things, for the recording of relevant global and European strategies and action plans on improving the quality of life and the recording of demographic data, health indicators and other relevant data to capture the current situation in Cyprus.
It also provides for raising awareness on healthy eating and physical exercise and the establishment of a National Committee, which will have an advisory role to the Minister of Health, with the goal of preparing an Action Plan for the promotion of healthy eating and exercise.
Asked if there was data on obesity, the Minister said that there is data, especially on childhood obesity, “that shows that we are at a higher level than other European countries and it is something that we obviously need to work on.”
