Prague, Czech Republic – October 23, 2023 – A recent survey conducted by Barometr FOOD, under the patronage of the European Commission, has unveiled a significant disconnect between Czechs’ perception of a healthy lifestyle and their actual eating habits. While many Czechs believe they lead healthy lives, the survey’s findings paint a different picture, highlighting concerning dietary patterns.

The survey revealed that Czechs consume less fruit and vegetables than recommended, have less frequent breakfasts than advisable, and astonishingly, every hundredth Czech reportedly indulges in beer for breakfast. These habits collectively indicate that Czechs continue to lag behind the European average when it comes to healthy eating.

Aneta Martišková, the international coordinator of the survey, pointed out several factors that hinder Czechs’ ability to maintain a healthy diet, with the high cost of food and a lack of time being the most prominent. Notably, many Czechs allocate a significant portion of their income, between twenty to thirty percent, towards food expenses. This financial burden is compounded by concerns of further increases in food prices, as four out of five Czechs worry about this issue.

The survey also emphasized that Czechs are primarily motivated to eat healthily for health reasons, followed by considerations of taste and variety. Although there has been a slight shift towards healthier eating compared to a survey conducted fifteen years ago, Czechs still display preferences for cold dinners, with non-alcoholic beverages slowly replacing beer as a lunchtime drink, and a reduction in the consumption of traditional Czech dumplings.

Tomáš Prouza, Vice President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce, expressed deep concerns about unhealthy eating habits in the Czech Republic. The nation falls significantly below the European average regarding healthy life expectancy, with diet playing a pivotal role in this disparity. Prouza highlighted that seventy-five percent of the population struggles with being overweight, and an alarming nineteen percent grapple with obesity, with these issues particularly prevalent among children.

It is noteworthy that addressing the issue of unhealthy eating habits remains a relatively unpopular political topic. However, such behaviors contribute to approximately half of all deaths in the Czech Republic. Prouza pointed out that unhealthy eating has now surpassed tobacco as a leading cause of premature death. While physical activity is beneficial, it cannot offset the adverse effects of excessive overeating.

Beyond the impact on public health, the survey also shed light on the Czech population’s inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables. Shockingly, forty-eight percent of respondents admitted not eating a single portion of fruits and vegetables daily, whereas the recommended intake is five to six portions or more.

Eliška Selinger from the National Institute of Public Health underscored the prevalence of myths surrounding healthy eating. Many people mistakenly believe that vegetables are limited to salads, often overlooking that well-prepared dishes like “svíčková” or tomato sauce also include vegetables. Selinger emphasized the importance of incorporating education about healthy eating habits in schools, as this can have a ripple effect on students’ families and, ultimately, the nation’s overall dietary well-being.

Article by Prague Forum