The study shows that between 2002 and 2014 the country stagnated in its battle to fight the disease among youngsters.
Only Greece, Macedonia, Slovenia and Croatia have more obese teens than this country.
These findings were discussed by international experts this week at the European Obesity Congress, held in Porto.
The WHO’s findings show that one in every ten 11-year-old boys is obese, a result aggravated by an apparent reduction in the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, and an increase in sedentary lifestyles.
Reports suggest the rise in child obesity is reaching worrying levels in Portugal, which is also to be debated at one of the biggest international conferences on the matter, to be held from 5 to 8 July, in Lisbon.
One of the main contributing factors, it would seem, is that youngsters are veering off the Mediterranean diet, composed mainly of olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, cereals and milk, replacing it instead, according to nutritionists, with filling yet less nourishing foods like bread and cost-effective processed foods.
And while Portugal’s children still eat a healthy amount of fruit every day, that consumption has dropped in recent years and Belgian youngsters currently take the title of Europe’s biggest daily fruit-eaters.
All this has led to the conclusion that “Portugal’s fight against child obesity is not having any significant results”, newspaper Público reported.
The WHO’s Adolescent obesity and related behaviours: trends and inequalities in the WHO European Region, 2002-2014, indicates that obesity in Portugal among 11 to 15-year- olds is of five percent – the fifth highest percentage rate in Europe.
That figure is slightly higher among boys (6.5 percent) than among girls (3 percent).
Speaking to Público, researcher, Margarida Gaspar de Matos, who coordinates the Portuguese branch of the WHO’s work, said “obesity levels among adolescents are worrisome, associated with poor diet, low physical activity and sedentary behaviour.”
She stressed that “obesity is associated with future health problems” such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, respiratory problems and even sleep and mental problems.
“The earlier obesity sets in, the more difficult it is to fight and the more the harmful effects on physical, mental and social health accumulate”, she reiterated.