700 thousand Poles suffer from morbid obesity – this is as much as the population of Krakow

Nowadays, obesity is becoming an increasing social problem.

According to the latest data, as many as 700,000 Poles suffer from morbid obesity, which is a number comparable to the population of one of our largest cities – Krakow. This is an alarming fact that requires urgent action and greater public awareness of this issue.

When do we talk about obesity and morbid obesity?

Obesity is a condition in which excessive amounts of fat tissue accumulate in the body. Morbid obesity, in turn, is its advanced form, characterized by a significant excess of the body weight norm. One of the most important indicators for assessing obesity is body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing body weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared. Obesity is diagnosed when a BMI is 30 or more, and morbid obesity is diagnosed when a BMI is 40 or more.

How to treat obesity?

Treating obesity is a comprehensive process that requires the involvement of the patient and specialists from various fields of medicine. The main methods of treating obesity are:

• Diet – changing eating habits, limiting caloric intake and avoiding highly processed food.
• Physical activity – Regular, moderate physical activity can help you burn excess calories.
• Behavioral therapy – psychological support and therapy that helps change negative eating habits.
• Medications – in some cases, your doctor may recommend drug therapy.
• Bariatric surgery – surgical procedures may be considered for morbidly obese people who have not achieved results otherwise.

Liability of food producers

It is also worth considering the role of food producers in the spread of obesity. Many experts believe that the food industry promotes high-calorie products full of sugar and fat, which promotes obesity. Greater regulation of the advertising and composition of food products is necessary to protect consumers’ health.

Your suggestions

If you are struggling with obesity or know someone who needs support, there are many organizations that offer help and advice. It is important to seek support from specialists and not to underestimate the problem. Obesity can lead to many serious diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

Recommended articles

To learn more about obesity and its effects, we recommend reading the following articles:

• “What are the causes of obesity and how to prevent it?”
• “The role of physical activity in the fight against overweight”
• “What are the health consequences of obesity?”

Morbid obesity is a social problem that requires understanding, empathy and action on many fronts. It is worth investing in education and promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity to reduce the number of people affected by this disease and improve the quality of life of society.