The Algerian National School Health Association revealed a rise in physical and psychological diseases among children, including serious chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, caused by poor diet, urging preventive measures from all sectors of society.

Experts and doctors in Algeria sounded the alarm over the spread of serious diseases among children despite their young age, mainly due to changes in Algerians’ dietary habits, including children consuming large amounts of processed foods, sugars, and canned products, alongside smoking and drug use among middle and high school students.

According to Nebila Bassam, president of the National School Health Association, recent statistics show common school-age illnesses include vision impairment caused by excessive use of smartphone and TV screens. She added that obesity rates rose from 4% in 2004 to 14% in 2024, resulting from unhealthy or unbalanced nutrition and consumption of sugary energy drinks that lead to poor sleep, increased cortisol hormone, nervousness, insomnia, and obesity.

Other nutrition-related diseases affecting children include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which directly impacts academic achievement, and dental caries due to sugar intake, with an average of four decayed teeth per child in preparatory school.

The situation is worsening with the emergence of chronic diseases among children such as type 2 diabetes and asthma, whereas previously only type 1 diabetes was recorded, along with anemia especially among adolescent girls.

Psychological diseases are also significant, including school bullying and sexual harassment, which lead to unhealthy psychological development.

Regarding solutions, the association president emphasized the need for combined efforts from families, schools, civil society, and authorities to reduce obesity, diabetes, and chronic diseases. Parents are urged to intervene urgently to protect their children from unhealthy behaviors and poor nutrition, as they are primarily responsible for preparing balanced meals and snacks. The Ministry of Education has organized a School Health Week for awareness and opened interactive workshops. The association also organized “Little Chef” workshops where children prepare healthy meals to learn good habits.

She also proposed awareness campaigns everywhere, highlighting the alarming spread of energy drinks that can cause sudden death by accelerating heartbeats, stressing the importance of involving everyone under the slogan “Tomorrow’s man is a healthy child and a healthy adult.”

For mental health prevention, the specialist recommended regular screening, follow-up, and training of psychologists, as well as training educational staff to integrate violent children and handle evolving psychological phenomena.

Public health specialist Mohamed Kawach highlighted obesity, high blood pressure, alarming diabetes rates, immune diseases, intestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, and hormonal disorders affecting glands, kidneys, and heart.

He attributed causes to four factors: lack of physical activity due to lifestyle changes, excessive screen time, unhealthy diet rich in fast food, fats, sugars, and artificial juices causing colon, artery diseases, obesity, and cancers from preservatives and colorants; disrupted sleep patterns with children staying up late, which impairs detoxification and increases risks of heart disease, premature aging, and memory disorders; and finally, high anxiety and stress due to social and global conditions negatively affecting immunity.