Russia Faces Rising Obesity Rates Among Patients, With Health Experts Citing Diet, Stress, and Lifestyle Shifts
In Russia, healthcare professionals report a growing share of patients who are overweight or obese. They point to the easier access to fast food and an increase in stressful situations as key drivers. The findings come from a survey conducted by Aktion Medicine, part of the Aktion group, and summarized by socialbites.ca.
Most respondents, about 88 percent, observed a rise in the number of patients with excess weight. A smaller portion, 10 percent, believe the rate has stayed steady year over year, while 2 percent think the numbers have declined recently.
When asked what factors contribute to weight gain, 80 percent pointed to the ready availability of fast food. Sixty-two percent cited more frequent stressful situations, 30 percent blamed longer remote work hours, and 18 percent attributed changes linked to the COVID-19 era. Some doctors commented that production standards in food and consumer goods may have loosened, and they suggested that treating endocrine issues with antidepressants and antipsychotics could influence weight gain.
Healthcare workers offered views on potential remedies. More than half, 58 percent, saw health education as a pivotal fix. Forty percent believed improving the quality of medical examinations could help, and 35 percent supported higher excise taxes on unhealthy products such as sugary drinks, tobacco, and alcohol to curb consumption.
Doctors emphasized that broad health education and lifestyle promotion are among the most crucial steps. They also highlighted the need for easier access to nutrition resources, enhanced clinical checkups, affordable medical care, and better access to psychological support as essential components of a comprehensive response.
Analysts note that obesity is a global trend that continues to accelerate. Russia is not immune, with studies showing roughly 25 percent of women and 24 percent of men classified as obese by body mass index thresholds. Clinicians often see more overweight and obese patients in outpatient settings and point to heavy workloads that limit time for physical activity as a contributing factor. A strong majority of medical professionals advocate for health education, social advertising, and patient engagement to raise awareness and improve weight outcomes. Some voices advocate more radical measures, such as restricting certain foods in general or imposing workplace fines for excess weight, while others argue that change begins when a patient decides to pursue weight loss. As Natalya Zhuravleva, a leading specialist at Aktion Medicine, notes, lasting change requires patient motivation and ongoing support.”
In practical terms, clinicians continue to encourage simple, summer-friendly steps to help individuals regain balance and reduce excess weight, emphasizing gradual lifestyle changes and consistent healthy habits.