Via practica 2/2026

Cognitive and behavioral paradoxes of obesity in the Visegrad Group countries

The analysis confirms that Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary form a homogeneous, high-risk group with a 54 % prevalence of overweight and obesity. A dominant societal issue is the systemic underestimation of one’s own body weight, which, as a social norm, fundamentally hinders timely diagnosis and the seeking of professional help. Effective obesity management faces three behavioral paradoxes: in the Czech Republic, high sports activity does not correlate with lower weight; in Poland, more favorable BMI values contrast with high inactivity; and in Hungary, emotional eating dominates as a maladaptive stress-coping mechanism. Future strategies in the V4 region must prioritize increasing health literacy and correcting the perception of BMI, particularly among the male population. Given the confirmed transgenerational transmission of obesity, it is essential to implement multidisciplinary and family-oriented programs that functionally link medical, nutritional, and psychological support. Only such an integrated approach can halt the rising wave of associated chronic diseases in the Central European region.

Keywords: obesity, nutritional paradox, V4 countries, regional analysis, health determinants