ADDRESSING CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN UKRAINE: A GROWING CHALLENGE AMIDST CONFLICT
Conducted within the framework of the Act4Health project and sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the survey was a joint effort of GFA Consulting Group with partners such as the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Ukraine Public Health Centre, the WHO Country Office and EURO WHO, and the Ukrainian Institute for Social Research after Oleksandr Yaremenko. The survey sheds light on the growing issue of childhood obesity in Ukraine.
The key findings reveal a growing public health concern, namely that 23% of Ukrainian children aged 6–8 years are overweight, including 9% classified as obese. These first ever baseline figures highlight the increasing risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the indication for targeted interventions to address childhood obesity at an early stage. The ongoing conflict has further exacerbated food insecurity, disrupted healthcare services, and limited access to essential nutrition. Altogether, this makes for worsening public health outcomes.
The increased risk of NCDs particularly affects overweight children aged 6-8, who are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension later in life. An early onset of obesity-related conditions can lead to chronic health issues, reduced life expectancy, and increased healthcare costs for both families and health systems. In addition, childhood overweight has social and economic consequences as it can lead to social stigma, lower self-esteem, and reduced academic performance due to bullying and psychological stress. Economically, it places a burden on healthcare systems due to rising treatment costs and lost productivity in adulthood.
Overweight children are more likely to become obese adults with work-related health challenges. Approximately 5-15% of children aged 6-8 who are currently overweight or obese will likely develop non-communicable diseases later in life if they do not change unhealthy lifestyles. Childhood obesity increases the lifetime risk of cardiovascular diseases by 2-4 times.
The fight against childhood obesity aligns with global and national health goals such as Sustainable Development Goal 3, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. These efforts support Ukraine’s National NCD Action Plan, which prioritizes the prevention and control of NCDs through multi-sectoral collaboration and evidence-based interventions. The EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014–2020 emphasized a holistic approach, for example promoting healthy diets, encouraging physical activity, and regulating the marketing of unhealthy foods to children. Ukraine can align with EU standards by adopting similar comprehensive strategies to prevent and manage childhood obesity.
GFA Consulting Group alongside its national partners focused on a holistic multi-sectoral strategy for lasting impact that addresses childhood obesity. This incorporates public health campaigns to raise awareness about healthy eating and lifestyle choices, and school-based nutrition programs to promote balanced diets and physical activity among children. Policy interventions are to foster healthier food environments and encourage active lifestyles. Collaboration with stakeholders is intended to ensure sustainable and impactful interventions.
As Ukraine navigates these unprecedented challenges, investing in children's health remains a top priority. Findings from the COSI survey serve as a wake-up call as they emphasize the need for sustained action and coordinated efforts to mitigate childhood obesity. By integrating emergency response measures with long-term development strategies, the GFA-led initiative is paving the way for a healthier future of Ukraine’s future generations.
“The road ahead is challenging. But with collective action, Ukraine’s children can grow up healthier and more resilient, despite the adversities they face today”, summarized Dr Juma Khudonazarov, GFA Senior Consultant.
> Fore more information open the factsheet about the COSI report
