Bariatric surgery in some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)" countries- current status and prediction for the next millennium.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is increasing globally, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries.


METHODS
A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery.


RESULTS
In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity. The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.
Fried
M
M
First Surgical Department, Charles University General Faculty Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
Peskova
M
M
Kasalicky
M
M
D015992:Body Mass Index; D003625:Data Collection; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005061:Europe, Eastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy