WHO praises outcomes of Greece’s two-year old anti-obesity strategy

01 June 2026

Greece has completed the initial phase of its national strategy against child obesity, lunched in late 2024, in cooperation with UNICEF. The Ministry of Health expects to achieve a consistent decline in childhood obesity rates up to 2040, if the policies undertaken are maintained.

The plan combines actions in healthcare provision, school canteens, food donations, and exercise, with an emphasis on raising awareness. More than 1,900 overweight or obese children received free specialist support through direct consultation with dietitians-nutritionists, resulting in a positive impact for eight in ten children, who went back to normal body mass index.

More than 130,000 healthy meals and fresh fruit were distributed to pupils in 435 primary schools, helping to improve dietary habits and increase nutrition literacy. Almost 100,000 young people participated in a food donation network, distributing more than 20 tonnes of surplus food to vulnerable families.

These initiatives, in the same field of work of SAFE’s Food4Inclusion project, have prompted complements from the World Health Organization, who have praised Greece as a “model country” in the fight against child obesity.     

Additionally, more than 135,000 children took part in free sports activities under the programme.