Obesity And Other Digestive Health Issues Hounding Europe’s Children

Digestive experts have said in a report that there are disturbing statistics showing obesity and other digestive health issues are affecting children in Europe. They also said that children are not being treated for digestive health issues in a way that is tailor-fitted for their age.

The report, called "Paediatric Digestive Health Across Europe" was commissioned by United European Gastroenterology (UEG). It contains insights from paediatric gastrointestinal specialists, some coming from the UEG and current and past presidents of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN).

Children's digestive health across Europe in crisis, with vastly insufficient health care or research on solutions https://t.co/qQaIUE1VjX

— Sarah Robertson (@RRI_Director) May 31, 2016

Digestive Health Report Highlights

Data from 46 European countries show that one in three children from ages six to nine is overweight or obese. According to The Guardian, the report said that come 2025, overweight children all over the world aged under five would be 70 million from today's 41 million.

Another area of concern is that 20-30% of all inflammatory bowel disease cases can now be traced to children and that. Lastly, children as young as age 3 have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The disease has reportedly become the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease among children and adolescents in Western countries.

Digestive Health Treatment For Children Not Specialized

The experts found out that in a number of aspects of digestive health, children are being cared for in the same way as adults, according to EurekAlert. "It is important for stakeholders and policy makers to appreciate that children have complex physical, psychological and social needs and these must be met by trained paediatric specialists to improve the accessibility of optimal care for children today and in future generations," said Professor Berthold Koletzko, President of ESPGHAN.

Koletzko revealed that despite the rise of gastrointestinal diseases in Europe, pediatric health is only one out of 58 topics receiving research funding from the European Union. "Priorities need to change quickly to appreciate the specific issues of paediatric digestive provision and ensure greater investment into prevention, cost-effective diagnostic measures and harmonized training," Koletzko said, as per MedicalXpress.