{"id":5242,"date":"2023-09-01T15:55:03","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T13:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.axa-eco.votre-projet.com\/?p=5242"},"modified":"2025-11-14T11:16:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T10:16:32","slug":"how-can-we-prevent-overweight-and-obesity-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.axa-assurancescollectives.fr\/en\/actualites\/how-can-we-prevent-overweight-and-obesity-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"How can we prevent overweight and obesity in children?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In France, a growing number of children are overweight or obese. To combat this threat, France\u2019s national health insurance service has launched an obesity prevention program. It focuses on children between the ages of 3 and 12, and participation is free of charge to families.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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A recent report (1) on how to better prevent and treat obesity reveals that\u00a017% of French children are overweight, including 4% who are obese<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On 30 March 2023, the health insurance arm of France\u2019s Social Security system launched\u00a0a program called \u201cMission: get back on track<\/strong>\u201d (2). This public health action plan focuses on preventing overweight and obesity in children aged 3 to 12 and is fully funded by the national health insurance plan. Therefore,\u00a0the parent of an overweight or obese child<\/strong>\u00a0simply shows their Carte Vitale insurance card and\u00a0has no advance payment to make<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Why worry about children being overweight or obese?<\/h2>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\n\n
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Various studies show that between 20% to 50% of children who are obese before entering puberty will stay that way once they are adults. For children or teenagers who are obese after puberty, the proportion can reach 50% to 70%. There are proven links between obesity and an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer<\/strong>. People who are obese are also more likely to suffer from joint damage (in the hips, knees, ankles, etc.) and sleep apnea.<\/div>\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n
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Alongside an increased risk of chronic disease,\u00a0in the short-term, there are also psychological consequences of being overweight or obese<\/strong>. These impacts are particularly significant in young children due to the importance of their self-image, which can often be greater than in adults. Overweight or obese children may be teased, stigmatized and, in more extreme cases, physically attacked by peers, all of which can lead to isolation, loss of self-confidence, and attacks of anxiety \u2013 or even depression. They may also experience insomnia, for example, or eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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What action can be taken to prevent overweight and obesity in children?<\/h2>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\n\n
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It is essential for children to have\u00a0regular health checkups<\/strong>\u00a0with a pediatrician or family doctor. During these checkups, the physician should monitor the child\u2019s:<\/p>\n