Albanian teenagers “lazy” eat well, but 75% live a sedentary lifestyle

The health and lifestyle of today’s adolescents are very important for measuring the quality of human capital in the coming decade.

A report by the World Health Organization shows that Albanian children and adolescents consume more fruits and vegetables than their European peers, but at the same time they drink far more sugary beverages and are much less physically active compared to other European countries.

The percentage of children who do not consume fruits or vegetables daily is much lower than the European average, indicating that the eating habits of Albanian children are somewhat healthier.

Regarding overweight and obesity among children aged 6–9, Albania ranks among the countries with the lowest percentages, around 20%, while the WHO regional average for Europe is close to 40%. These data indicate a relatively positive situation compared to many other European countries.

On the other hand, the indicator for physical activity remains problematic. About three-quarters of Albanian children are physically inactive, a level similar to the European average but far from the best-performing countries in this regard. Consumption of soft drinks is also somewhat higher than in more developed countries.

These data suggest that while nutrition is relatively good, the lifestyle remains largely sedentary for a significant portion of children.

The use of electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes among Albanian adolescents is very low, under 10%, compared to levels of 20–40% in most other European countries.

Alcohol consumption is also noticeably limited – very few adolescents report having consumed alcohol, having been drunk at some point, or during the last 30 days. In these indicators, Albania stands out positively, ranking among the safest countries regarding risky behaviors among young people.

Our country ranks very well in terms of eating habits, overweight levels, and especially tobacco and alcohol consumption among adolescents compared to Europe.

However, a clear challenge remains the lack of physical activity and a still relatively high tendency to consume soft drinks.

Public funding for the health of children and adolescents remains limited in our country. Only 9.2% of total public spending is dedicated to healthcare, compared to around 15% in the EU average.

“KORÇA BOOM”