Obesity is a growing health problem in Europe, and although the Netherlands is not currently facing an obesity epidemic, recent studies indicate that the Dutch should be vigilant.

Fortunately, in comparison to other EU countries, the Netherlands does not fare that badly. According to Eurostat, the heavyweight offenders, with well over 50 percent of its population overweight, are the United Kingdom, specifically England, and Germany.  Holland ranks roughly in the lower third of countries in terms of its overweight and obese population. Several factors may explain why Holland does not rank highly, including extensive cycling, stress on seasonal eating and the Dutch philosophy of non-excess.

Nevertheless, some negative habits of the Dutch are contributing to the steadily growing weight problem. An article from Newswire DPA reported a summer rise in sweets consumption. In the article, a study by market research agency AC Nielsen revealed a 14 percent rise in the purchase of chocolate bars and an 11percent rise in sales of other chocolate sweets. Biscuit sales were up 10 percent and liquorice 4 percent. Experts believe the unusually grey weather this summer was mostly to blame.

In addition to consuming more fatty sweets, the youngest of the Dutch population is experiencing a decrease in physical activity. Earlier this month, the Dutch news agency ANP reported that less than 10 percent of schoolchildren average more than 30 minutes of exercise or sport per day. As a result the Nicis research institute study concluded that 1 in 5 Dutch children will be obese by 2015.

Other societal developments indicate that the Netherlands is trying to prevent an obesity epidemic. A record number of overweight Dutch and Belgian teenagers participated at this year’s anti-obesity “Victory Camp.” As Rachel Levy writes for the DPA (August 2007), this camp founded by the foundation Victory for Life stresses psychological support and nutrition education. Over 400,000 Dutch teenagers and young adults are overweight. The number is still low in comparison to other EU countries but is still enough to encourage these kinds of weight programmes.

Another Dutch development in relation to obesity is the implementation of new ambulances for the overweight. According to the ANP, the northern part of the Netherlands will begin deploying these new vehicles starting next February targeted for those weighing over 100 kilos. These special ambulances have a two-fold purpose. Their main function is to protect ambulance personnel from lifting dangerous weights. The second purpose is to provide more patient comfort.

As part of only a two-year trial, the northern health care system is hopeful that these new ambulances will not become a necessity in Holland. Current measures targeted at obesity in the Dutch population can still be seen as preventive. The Netherlands can still succeed against becoming overweight with some slight adjustments before more extreme measures must be implemented.

1 October 2007

American journalist Allison Mistica is based in the US.

[Copyright Expatica 2007]