Conor Stewart
Research expert covering health & pharmaceuticals in the UK & Europe
Get in touch with us nowChiId obesity in Belgium 1997-2018
Because the Body Mass Index (BMI) changes with age, for children, the measure is placed on a standard gender-specific growth chart provided by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). According to this chart, five percent of Belgian children are considered to be obese in 2018. In other words, five percent of children in Belgium have a BMI situated above the 95th percentile for age, gender, and height.
Furthermore, the share of obese children was slowly increasing over the years. In 1997, roughly four percent of children were obese in Belgium, whereas in 2018, over five percent of them suffered from obesity. However, this increase was not steady, the share of obese children slightly decreased in 2008 and 2018.
Evaluating the growth allows the early detection of the risk of becoming overweight or obese, therefore allowing to take preventative measures and supporting the child and his family in a healthier lifestyle, balancing physical activity with an appropriate diet.
Furthermore, the share of obese children was slowly increasing over the years. In 1997, roughly four percent of children were obese in Belgium, whereas in 2018, over five percent of them suffered from obesity. However, this increase was not steady, the share of obese children slightly decreased in 2008 and 2018.
Evaluating the growth allows the early detection of the risk of becoming overweight or obese, therefore allowing to take preventative measures and supporting the child and his family in a healthier lifestyle, balancing physical activity with an appropriate diet.
