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TOPLINE: 

A study of 9847 European children found that 92% had breakfast regularly, but their consumption of nutrient-dense foods was below recommended levels, and children with obesity had a higher intake of unhealthy foods than those without obesity.

METHODOLOGY:

• A total of 9847 children from six European countries participated in the Feel4Diabetes study. About 67% of them were 7 years old and 50.4% were girls.
• The participating countries were grouped by economic status: Countries with high income (Finland and Belgium), countries under austerity measures (Spain and Greece), and counties with low income (Hungary and Bulgaria).
• Researchers collected baseline data on socioeconomic factors and energy balance–related behaviours using questionnaires, including semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements of children were also taken.
• Eleven food groups were categorised as 'nutrient-dense' or 'energy-dense, low-nutrient' foods, and intake was analysed by country, gender, and obesity status.

TAKEAWAY:

• The rates of overweight or obesity varied significantly across countries, with the highest prevalence in Greece (36.5%) and Hungary (35.5%) and the lowest prevalence in Belgium (13.2%).
• Most children (92.2%) had breakfast 5-7 days per week. Daily fruit and vegetable intake varied across countries, ranging from 17.4% and 10.6%, respectively, in Hungary to 46.1% and 53.5%, respectively, in Belgium.
• Children's intake of nutrient-dense foods (fruits, vegetables, fish, or grains) was below recommended levels. The consumption of energy-dense, low-nutrient foods (red meat, poultry, sweets, soft drinks, or savoury snacks) exceeded limits, particularly in children with overweight or obesity (P = .048).
• Children with overweight or obesity had a higher intake of soft drinks than those with normal weight (boys: P = .021; girls: P = .039), with significant differences related to body mass index.

IN PRACTICE:

"Our study highlights diverse dietary habits among primary school–aged children in Europe, with significant variations in food intake by country, gender, and obesity status," the authors wrote. "Collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers are essential to improve children's nutrition and reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity," they added.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Lubna Mahmood, Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. It was published online on February 27, 2025, in the European Journal of Pediatrics.

LIMITATIONS:

The accuracy of the findings was limited by the study's cross-sectional design and reliance on parental self-reported food data. Additional limitations included social desirability bias and the uneven distribution of participants across countries.

DISCLOSURES:

The Feel4Diabetes study received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.