According to data from the European Statistical Authority for 2023, 1 in 4 children in the European Union were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, with the rates remaining persistently high compared to 2022. Greece now ranks 4th in the EU in terms of risk of poverty or social exclusion, with 26% of its total population affected by these factors (EUROSTAT 2024). These already alarming figures for Greece, stemming from the long-standing socio-economic crisis and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, are further exacerbated by the consequences of ongoing wars, rising inflation, and issues of energy dependency—factors expected to affect not only more families but also broader social groups.

High poverty rates significantly hinder access to sufficient, healthy, and high-quality food. Indeed, food insecurity in Greece has shown a steady upward trend over the past decade. Specifically, in 2023, based on data from the Hellenic and European Statistical Authorities, Greece ranked 6th among countries with the highest levels of food insecurity, while in 2010, it ranked 15th (ELSTAT 2023). Additionally, according to findings from the DIATROFI Program at the start of the 2022–2023 school year, 26.5% of families were experiencing food insecurity, while 9.8% were facing the most severe form of food insecurity.

Adverse economic conditions also lead to poor dietary choices and habits, contributing to increased body weight and further burdening the health of children and adolescents (World Bank, 2020). The latest report by the World Health Organization highlights the problem of childhood obesity in Europe. More than 4 million children under the age of 5 and approximately one in three children aged 5–9 are overweight or obese (WHO 2022). Greece has among the highest rates of childhood and adolescent obesity in the EU and ranks among the top globally (OECD, 2019). Specifically, overweight and obesity affect nearly half of all boys (41.4%) and 33.8% of girls aged 5–19 in Greece (OECD, 2019). These rates are even higher among children living in socio-economically vulnerable and rural areas.

Therefore, preventing and addressing food insecurity and childhood obesity through targeted policies and interventions, especially for high-risk groups, must be a priority. The goal is to reduce health inequalities, promote children’s health and quality of life, and ease the burden on healthcare systems.

Providing appropriate support measures to households during times of crisis is of the utmost importance, as highlighted in the report The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, 2020). Given the current sharp rise in prices of basic food items, the provision of meals that are nutritious, safe, and of high quality is essential.

The results recorded from the multi-year implementation of the DIATROFI Program demonstrate its significant contribution to reducing food insecurity. Specifically, according to available data, during the period 2013–2023, 21% of families experiencing food insecurity at the start of the Program no longer experienced it after their participation. The Program was especially effective in addressing severe food insecurity (experiencing hunger) in 34% of participating families. Furthermore, up to 40.4% of students who did not have a normal body weight at the start of the Program (students classified as overweight, obese, or underweight according to BMI) reached a normal weight by the end. In total, up to 52.7% of students increased their weekly consumption of wholegrain products, 57.2% increased their vegetable intake, 59.0% their fruit intake, and 67.1% increased their weekly consumption of dairy products.

Based on the above, the continuation and expansion of the DIATROFI Program for the 2024–2025 school year is deemed essential, in order to provide tangible support to students and their families—particularly during this challenging period. This Program plays a vital role in changing dietary habits and reducing food insecurity. Enhancing students’ access to healthy and balanced meals not only improves their health but also helps establish positive dietary patterns that can last a lifetime. At the same time, promoting the Mediterranean diet through such interventions is crucial in tackling childhood obesity, which remains a serious issue in Greece. Combating food insecurity requires ongoing and coordinated efforts to improve the nutrition of vulnerable populations and reduce socio-economic inequalities.

Obesity

Greece holds the highest rate of childhood obesity in the EU and ranks among the top countries globally (OECD, 2019). Nearly half of all boys (41.4%) and 33.8% of girls aged 5–19 are overweight or obese (OECD, 2019).