Government to fight obesity

The Government plans to reduce the number of obese people in Slovakia from 17 percent to 15.8 percent by 2025, reads the National Action Plan on Obesity Prevention 2015-25 inspired by the OECD. The government passed it on Wednesday. According to the plan, the struggle against obesity has to be focused on children and youth as it could cause this age group serious harm, cardiovascular diseases, type two diabetes and tumours. A survey from 2011 showed that the average weight of boys and girls had risen significantly when compared to 2001, with the exception of 16-year-old girls. The ministry wants to address this with balanced nutrition at schools, a higher number of PE lessons and active breaks. Children should be less exposed to advertisements for sugary drinks and food. "Slovakia is among the EU-member states with the lowest number of PE lessons", reads the plan, adding that there is also a need to focus on building sports facilities. The Health Ministry has calculated that the activities aimed at fighting obesity will cost around €70,000 per year.