Childhood Obesity in Bulgaria Growing at Alarming Rate

Childhood obesity in Bulgaria has increased from 12.3% in 2008 to 13.9% in 2014, a new study among 3,353 children at the age of 7 has showed.

The research was carried out by the National Public Health and Analyses Center and the Regional Health Inspectorates in the country, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency informed.

From 28% in 2008 the number of overweight Bulgarian children reached 30.5% in 2013.

Important factors for the growing obesity problem are the unhealthy eating habits, and the insufficient physical activity, the study says.

One of the main causes of obesity is the excessive fat intake. Besides fats which are added to foods such as butter and oil, and the visible meat fats, some foods such as chips, snacks, cakes, sausages, fried snacks, sauces, salads with mayonnaise and others contain the so called 'hidden' fats, Nova TV notes.