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Preventing Overweight and Obesity

The project aims at preventing overweight and obesity in Polish society through wide-spread educational measures on nutrition and physical activity, as well as through intervention activities among overweight people. Pregnant women and school children are particularly targeted in this national programme.
Theme/Focus Area
Human and Social Development
Health
Target Group
Pregnant women and nursing mothers, children and school children, obese/overweight persons, general public
Context
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.
Goals
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.
Activities
The main activities are:
  • 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
Results
The expected results are:
  • 28'000 women and breastfeeding mothers are educated regarding proper nutrition
  • certification programme is implemented in 1'600 educational institutions throughout the country
  • 1'600 obese/overweight patients participate in the intervention programme; 12'800 people receive advice
  • 10% of customers of the included supermarket outlets have received advice

Additional Information and Documents


External Links
Key data of the project
Country:
Poland Poland
Amount of the Swiss grant:
CHF 4'500'000
Total budget of the project:
CHF 5'294'000
Date of grant approval:
21.12.2010
Status:
ongoing
Responsibility for project implementation:
  • Intermediary Body: Office for Foreign Aid Programs in Health Care; Executing Agency: National Food and Nutrition Institute (NFNI)
Swiss contact:
Project number: 7F-07228.01