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Schools strengthen movement: more children fight overweight!
Austria increases the daily movement unit in schools to motivate children to act and counteract obesity.
Schools strengthen movement: more children fight overweight!
Movement is good - everyone knows that. But what about the children? A new report by Unicef brings troubling news: In 2025, more than half of all children worldwide is obedient than underweight for the first time. In Austria, data show that around 28% of the children between five and nine years are affected. These alarming numbers drive the Alma Mater of the domestic health and educational landscape to take measures. Sports Secretary Michaela Schmidt from Salzburg was able to announce the expansion of the daily exercise unit at schools. This underlines the urgency of getting children in motion and ensuring more health and concentration. [Salzburg24] (https://www.salzburg24.at/sportmix/taegliche-zwegungsinheit-an-allen-fulen-werd-stal- Mehr-kinder-fettliglig-als- underweight-art-302347) reports that the financial funds for this project are increased from 18 million to 19.5 million euros.
Around 400,000 children, around 15% of the target group, currently take part in the daily movement unit. In order to increase this number and increase the quality, specialist associations are to be integrated that provide trained trainers. Ralf Rangnick, a well -known name in sports, will be the first ambassador for the initiative. In order to clarify how important movement for the well -being of the children is, around 330,000 movement units with over 22,000 classes were carried out in more than 3,800 educational institutions in more than 3,800 educational institutions. So there is still a lot of potential here!
Worldwide challenges
A look beyond the national borders shows that not only in Austria the topic of overweight is worrying. According to Unicef, 20% of 5 to 19 year olds are overweight worldwide, including 10% even obese. These worrying developments are primarily due to the constant availability of unhealthy foods and the lack of movement. In Germany, too, the numbers look similar, with 25% of children of this age, which are overweight, and 8% that are classified as obese. The international situation is therefore alarming and requires global action to improve the nutrition and movement of children [unicef] (https://www.unicef.de/informieren/aktuesse/-/erstmalts- Mehr- and-jugendlichen-weltweit-fettleiBliBliBliBliBliBliBliblig-alsweigen-/382412).
So it is no wonder that voices become loud that want to make the daily exercise unit in schools. The UNICEF report emphasizes that obesity not only endanger the physical health of the children, but can also affect their psychological well-being. Overweight children often have to struggle with self -esteem, are more susceptible to bullying and tendency at higher school feasts.
Health -promoting measures in sport
In Austria there are gratifying initiatives that want to counteract this. The sports union offers a platform for sports clubs to support inclusion projects and sports facilities. One example is the Ninja Qualification Cup, which took place on September 6, 2025 and 50 athlete: inspired inside. Such sports events not only promote movement, but also the team spirit and social integration. Other programs, such as the project “Moving’ - Healthy Back ”initiated by the Austrian Health Fund, help to enable children and young people to live more active and healthier [Sportunion] (https://sportunion.at/ooe/2025/09/15/unicef-rort-2025-enthuellt-mehr-kinder-giblig-als--unter-die-ta-movement unit-wechst-werden-muss/).
The challenge is great and the need for action is enormous. But with new initiatives, committed ambassadors and a clear strategy, we can ensure that our children lead a healthier and active life. There is something!