Childhood obesity and overweight rates in Albania are now above the European average, according to the latest findings from the 6th Round of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).

The report shows that across Europe, one in four children aged 7–9 is overweight, and one in ten is obese, with boys more likely to be affected in both categories.

In Albania, however, the situation is even more concerning.

Data collected on eight-year-old children reveal that 31.4% are overweight, while 14.5% are obese. The gender gap is significant: nearly one in five boys is obese, compared to one in ten girls.

A new element in this year’s report was the inclusion of parental perception data, which revealed a large awareness gap. Nearly two-thirds (66%) of overweight children were perceived by their parents as having a normal or even underweight body size. In every country where data were available, more than half of parents underestimated their child’s weight.

WHO experts urged immediate action, warning that overweight and obesity levels across the WHO European Region remain persistently high, contributing to a rise in diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other life-threatening noncommunicable diseases.