According to data by the Social Security Service (CCSS), a total 26 thousand children and teens under 15 years of age in Costa Rica required medical attention in 2017 as a result of obesity.

Grace Murillo Loaiza, national coordinator of Nutrition of the CCSS, the statistics are alarming. 85.8% of the patients were between the ages of 5 and 14.

Health authorities call on parents and educators to watch the nutrition habits of this population since they are consuming a large quantity of fry food, sugary drinks, sodas, and processed foods that are taking a toll in their health.

Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular problems, and high levels of cholesterol are just some of the illnesses children are suffering from at a young age.

“At this time we are working on a study that establishes a relation between overweight and obesity in children under 5 years of age and a higher risk of developing asthma”, said Marlen Montoya, nutritionist at CCSS.

The population that suffers from overweight or obesity at a young age have a higher chance of maintaining this condition in their adult life.

“In the National Nutrition Survey 2008-2009, in a sample of children from 5 to 12 years of age, we found that 21 of every 100 children were overweight; in 2016 a census was done in weight and height in close to 4200 education centers, public and private, in children between 6 and 12 years old, revealing that 34 out of every 100 children are overweight”, explained Montoya.

A campaign was launched by the health authorities focusing in the prevention and feeding habits in the families as well as promoting physical activity.