Pandemic Fuels Childhood Obesity Surge in Vienna

Childhood obesity has become a major concern around the world, and Austria is no exception. With the number of children facing obesity on the rise, understanding the trends and factors contributing to this issue is more important than ever. Recent observations show that, while some countries have managed to stabilize childhood obesity rates, others continue to see a troubling increase. This trend is particularly alarming given the serious health risks associated with obesity, which can lead to long-term consequences for affected children as they grow into adulthood. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the situation, disrupting daily routines and impacting children’s physical activity and eating habits.

A comprehensive study conducted between 2017 and 2023 in Vienna, Austria, has provided crucial insights into the obesity trends among children aged 8 to 11 years. The study, led by Professor Kurt Widhalm from the Medical University of Vienna, along with Dr. Paula Moliterno and Victoria Donhauser from the Austrian Academic Institute for Clinical Nutrition, reveals a concerning increase in obesity rates among schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was published in the journal Children (I.F 2.0).

The researchers analyzed body mass index (BMI) percentiles of children from the EDDY study, a project aimed at preventing obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles among young children. “Our study aimed to examine time trends in the percentage of overweight and obesity in a sample of schoolchildren from Vienna, Austria, during 2017–2023,” explained Professor Widhalm. This peer-reviewed research highlights the pressing need for targeted interventions to address childhood obesity in Austria.

Significant findings from the study include a notable increase in obesity rates during the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the overall prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased over the study period, obesity alone saw a slight increase. The study’s trend analysis revealed that the percentage of children with obesity rose slightly. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted these trends, with a considerable increase in overweight/obesity and obesity during the initial pandemic period.

The study underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and intervention to combat childhood obesity. “The current percentage of obesity in this sample is high and peaked during the pandemic,” noted Professor Widhalm. They emphasize the need for future investigations to consider the representativeness of the school-aged population in Austria to gain a broader picture of overweight and obesity trends.

One of the key findings of the study is that the percentage of children with excessive body weight for their age remains unacceptably high. Nearly one-third of the children in the sample were living with overweight or obesity. This issue is not unique to Austria, as similar trends have been observed globally. Over the next decade, the prevalence of childhood obesity is expected to increase significantly worldwide.

Several national initiatives in Austria aim to promote healthy habits among children. Since 2012, the promotion of physical activity has been a national health goal, involving adjustments to living environments and promoting exercise skills in schools. The National Action Plan on Physical Activity (NAP.b) and the “Healthy Exercise for Children 2.0” initiative are key components of these efforts. Additionally, the National Action Plan for Nutrition (NAP.e) addresses various risk factors for obesity, with initiatives like “Children Eat Healthy” aiming to improve children’s nutrition within primary schools and communities.

Despite these efforts, the study reveals that collective action is still needed to prevent an increase in obesity rates. “Although initiatives have been comprehensive, only a small percentage of schools have reported having projects related to healthy lifestyle topics,” Professor Widhalm stated. This highlights the need for more targeted interventions and surveillance measurements to ensure progress in combating childhood obesity.

The study also emphasizes the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors on obesity rates. The neighborhood where the study was conducted has a high percentage of individuals with a migration background, which may contribute to higher obesity rates. Feeding practices, societal ideals around body size, and socioeconomic circumstances all play a role in shaping childhood obesity trends.

In conclusion, the findings from this six-year study by Professor Widhalm and his colleagues highlight the urgent need for effective interventions to address childhood obesity in Austria. The increase in obesity rates during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of continued monitoring and targeted initiatives. As the team suggests, future research should focus on larger samples and longer follow-up periods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of childhood obesity trends in Austria.

Journal Reference

Moliterno, P., Donhauser, V., & Widhalm, K. (2024). Childhood Obesity Trends among 8–11-Year-Olds: Insights from a School Sample in Vienna, Austria (2017–2023). Children, 11, 431. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040431

About the Authors

Kurt Widhalm completed his medical degree at the University of Vienna in 1971. He is a specialist in pediatrics, and is a pioneer and renowned researcher in the field of nutritional medicine. Today, he is an emeritus university professor in nutritional medicine and pediatrics at the Medical University of Vienna as well as the president of the Austrian Academic Institute for Nutritional Medicine in Vienna.

Paula Moliterno is a Nutritionist and completed her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of the Republic in Uruguay in 2021. Her expertise as a Nutritionist includes clinical practice and research, mainly focusing on obesity, obesity-related diseases and dietary patterns.
She worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Republic in Uruguay, and currently, she leads the EDDY Study research team at the Austrian Academic Institute for Nutritional Medicine in Vienna. In addition to her research endeavours, she is a Latin American Leadership in Nutrition Programme (LILANUT) member.

Victoria Donhauser graduated with a Master’s degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Vienna in 2022. Since October 2022, she was been a project coordinator at the Austrian Academic Institute for Nutritional Medicine for the prevention project EDDY.

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