More than two thirds of Czechs are overweight, and a significant proportion of the population is obese. The Ministry of Health is therefore preparing a plan to improve the availability of specialised outpatient clinics, for example. The ministry also aims to allocate more funding for prevention.
In order to lose weight, a calorie deficit is required. Doctors can support this with medication or surgery, but a change in lifestyle is always necessary.
When it comes to diet, experts advise a sustainable approach rather than a strict one. It is acceptable to indulge in something unhealthy from time to time.
According to a report by ČT24 news channel, more than a fifth of men and eighteen per cent of women in the Czech Republic are affected by obesity. Obesity is the most widespread disease of civilisation. It brings with it a range of health complications and can be the cause of around thirty different diseases. For instance, it increases the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks.
Obese individuals also tend to sleep poorly and are more likely to suffer from depression. It also places enormous strain on the joints and the entire musculoskeletal system.
Regular physical activity is the exception rather than the rule for Czechs. According to the Czech Statistical Office, eighteen per cent of men and fifteen per cent of women exercise occasionally. One third of people, on the other hand, do not engage in any physical activity at all. Experts suggest that it is often sufficient to increase movement during the day, such as walking to work or at least getting off public transport one stop earlier.
Obesity is also on the rise among children in the Czech Republic. In addition to genetics, parents influence their children through their lifestyle and pass on both good and bad habits. The National Institute of Health (Státní zdravotní ústav) reports that among thirteen to seventeen-year-olds, one in four is already overweight. Thirty years ago, it was only one in ten.
