Slovak children see soaring obesity rates as Czech ministers weigh sugary‑drink tax
The State General Health Insurance (VšZP) reported that in 2025 more than 40,000 insured Slovak children and adolescents were diagnosed with obesity, marking a 28 % increase over the previous three years. Over 2,400 patients under 18 were recorded with the condition, with the highest prevalence among ages 11‑15 and cases also observed in children under five. Treatment of obesity for those under 18 cost the insurer more than €425,000, while related health issues such as endocrine, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders generated costs exceeding €1 million. Health expert Elena Prokopová warned that childhood obesity can lead to hypertension, type‑2 diabetes, orthopedic problems and psychological difficulties, emphasizing early diagnosis and family‑wide intervention.
In the Czech Republic, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch expressed support for a tax on sugar‑sweetened beverages, provided its preventive impact can be demonstrated. He cited the World Health Organization’s recommendation that added sugars should make up less than ten percent of daily energy intake, ideally under five percent, and noted that more than 110 countries already employ some form of such a tax, which can lower consumption and prompt manufacturers to reduce sugar content. Sport Minister Boris Šťastný opposed the proposal, calling it an unnecessary extra charge for households and questioning the evidence that higher taxes curb obesity. He advocated investing in sport programmes and nutrition education instead.
Entities: Adam Vojtěch · Boris Šťastný · Czech Ministry of Health · Elena Prokopová · State General Health Insurance (VšZP)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 110 countries have implemented some form of sugary‑drink tax.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Childhood obesity diagnoses increased by 28 % over the previous three years in Slovakia.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Treatment of obesity for insured Slovak patients under 18 cost more than €425,000 in 2025.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Czech Sport Minister Boris Šťastný opposes a sugary‑drink tax, calling it an extra cost for households.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Vojtěch cites WHO guidance that added sugars should be below 10 % of daily energy intake, ideally below 5 %.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtěch supports a sugary‑drink tax if it shows preventive benefit.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In 2025 more than 40,000 insured Slovak children and adolescents were diagnosed with obesity.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Related health-condition costs for obese Slovak patients exceeded €1 million in 2025.