The percentage of obese people, both women and men, increased in 2000 compared to 1991. Among men aged 50 to 59, obesity was found twice more frequently in 2000 (25.3%) than in 1991 (12.4%). A survey conducted between 2003 and 2005 in 16 provinces confirmed the alarming situation: 21.2% of men and 22.4% of women aged 20 to 74 suffer from obesity while 40.4%, respectively 27.9%, suffer from overweight. Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents is lower than in other European countries, but a considerable number (20%) are overweight. Both obesity and overweight increase the risk of developing other diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, most cancers, gastrointestinal diseases, and type 2 diabetes.

The goal of the project is to prevent overweight and obesity among the Polish population. Specific objectives are a correct nutrition of 28’000 pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, a correct nutrition and physical activity of pupils of 1’600 educational institutions, a decrease of BMI in 1’600 obese and overweight people, and a 50% increase in the ability to understand food labelling and to buy healthy food among the target population in supermarkets.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers, children and school children, obese/overweight persons, general public

• Education and awareness-raising among pregnant women and nursing mothers by midwifes
• Courses/training on the role of proper nutrition and physical activity for school heads and teachers, for children and adolescents and their parents
• Certification programme for educational institutions
• Secondary prevention among obese/overweight people
• Educational measures in supermarkets
• Awareness-raising media campaign

Résultats obtenus:  

• The project enabled the executing agency to contribute to the drafting of a new regulation on certification of school kiosks based on the provision of healthy food.
• 12'371 pregnant women educated regarding proper nutrition
• 1’600 schools (covering 405'848 adolescents and children) enrolled for programme on proper nutrition and physical activity (target value achieved)
• 2'111 persons with excessive body weight participating in intensive weight reduction cycles (target value: 2’080), with an average decrease in BMI of patients reaching 5,7% (above target whith was 5%)
• 14'369 persons covered by dietary counseling (target value: 14’300)
• 9'026'14 supermarkets customers reached with information on food labelling, nutritional value and the role of physical activity for health
• Website created and modernized in 2014; 870'007 visits

Phase 1 01.01.2011 - 13.06.2017   (Completed)