Childhood obesity climbs 2% from pre-pandemic levels, epidemiological study indicates

A recent epidemiological survey has revealed that the childhood obesity rate in Macau has risen by about 2 percentage points compared with 2020, indicating an upward trend in the post-pandemic period.

The findings, derived from a recent survey conducted by Kiang Wu Hospital at a local school encompassing kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels, were disclosed by the hospital on the sidelines of an academic symposium on childhood obesity and food allergy diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies, during a group interview with the media.

According to the findings, BMI-based assessments indicated that roughly 11% of the school’s students fell into the overweight category, with the obesity rate reaching 7.5% – marking a rise of approximately 2 percentage points from the figures recorded in 2020.

Of note, the 2022/2023 Secondary School Student Health Behavior Survey further reported a combined overweight and obesity rate of 21.7% among local adolescents.

Hospital representatives noted that childhood allergies, obesity, and digestive ailments have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, presenting significant health challenges for young people – with obesity showing a marked deterioration.

They warned that obesity carries long-term risks to cardiovascular and respiratory health, as well as to attention span and sleep patterns, and called for strengthened efforts in adolescent weight surveillance, exercise promotion, dietary counseling, and sleep hygiene education. It was emphasized that a balanced and varied diet remains the cornerstone of effective childhood weight management.

Fecal microbiota transplantation

services launched

Meanwhile, the hospital announced that it had officially launched fecal microbiota transplantation services this year, with a stable donor stool bank now in place. So far, two adult cases have been successfully treated, and a third procedure is in progress.

The hospital further pointed out that the therapy shows considerable promise in the pediatric field, where it may be applied to manage allergic conditions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and long-standing chronic enterocolitis in children.