Children’s health and well-being are challenged by overweight and obesity, which is a growing problem both in the Danish population and globally. Children who grow up with obesity often become adults with obesity, and we know that obesity among adults is associated with an increased risk of a wide range of serious illnesses.
Already in early childhood, children face the consequences of obesity in the form of psychological, physical, social, and cognitive complications, often manifested as a reduced quality of life due to bullying, stigma, poor body image and low self-esteem – all of which can contribute to disorders as well as poor well-being.
The primary purpose of the Centre for Childhood Health is to provide new evidence-based solutions that can promote healthy weight and well-being among children. Such knowledge will be translated into practice in the form of initiatives involving children, their families, and professionals as well as the environments in which the children live. The initiatives will promote well-being, be destigmatising, and prevent a weight development that can adversely influence the physical and mental health of the children.
The initiatives will be implemented in close partnerships with public and private actors in this field, including Denmark’s municipalities and administrative regions, research and educational institutions, private associations, and others.
The centre was established with a Foundation grant of up to DKK 1 billion over 10 years, and DKK 100 million over 10 years from the Danish Ministry of Health. The centre opened in January 2023.
