Prevention of overweight and obesity undertaken by local government units in Poland

Abstract

BackgroundBased on the estimates of World Health Organization (WHO), in European Union countries overweight or obesity affects more than 60% of men and over 50% of women. According to the nationwide European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) survey conducted in 2014, in Poland over 62% of men and nearly 46% of women carried excess weight in 2014. ObjectiveThe objective of the paper is to present health policy programmes aimed at prevention of overweight and obesity developed, implemented and funded by local government units (self-governments of voivodeships, counties, municipalities) in Poland in 2010–2016. MethodsThe study was based on a desk research. It covered data from two sources, i.e. data included in annual reports formulated by voivodes and submitted to Minister of Health concerning all health policy programmes implemented by local government units and data published online as part of reviews of draft programmes by the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System (AOTMiT). ResultsIn the period under review local government units implemented a total of 333 overweight and obesity prevention programmes. 18 programmes were reviewed by AOTMiT. Most programmes have been implemented in the Zachodniopomorskie and Mazowieckie Voivodeships, whereas the least in the Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeships. Around 99% of municipalities, 97% of counties and 86% of self-governments of voivodeships did not complete any overweight and obesity prevention programmes in the period under review. ConclusionInsufficient engagement of local government units in the prevention of overweight and obesity – one of the primary objectives of the National Health Programme for 2007–2015 and 2016–2020. Differences in terms of the number of programmes implemented by particular types of local government units and the financial resources employed in the implementation of the programmes. Failure to fulfil the statutory obligation to obtain a review from AOTMiT. Failure to address the actual health needs of local communities related to overweight and obesity prevention by some of the voivodeships.