When obesity becomes the norm in Luxembourg

Overweight is exploding and now affects all categories of the population.

In Luxembourg, obesity (BMI*›30) now affects 16.5% of those aged 15 and over, according to the most recent figures. The country is thus in the European average (16.5%). Overweight (BMI›25) affects 40% of men and 24% of women. Children are not spared, as 4.3% of primary school pupils are obese and 7.5% are overweight. The proportion rises to 9.9% and 9.3% among secondary school adolescents. Since 2019, the CNS covers up to ten consultations with a dietician over a period of three years for obese people.

Fruits and vegetables are not popular

In the Grand Duchy, 48.1% of people aged 15 and over do not consume fruits and/or vegetables daily. This is significantly higher than the European average (32.9%).

"Sport alone is not enough to lose weight"

"Sport alone is not enough to lose weight, explains Bastien Miest, sports coach. You also need to review your diet, favor seasonal fruits and vegetables, avoid sugar and salt." To hope to see a result on the scale, he recommends two to three 45-minute sessions per week. A mix of sports is ideal. "Cardio is more suitable in the morning because our metabolism is more active. In the evening, I recommend weight training instead."

Rather enduring residents

42.3% of residents practice more than 150 minutes of endurance physical activity per week, compared to 29.9% in the EU. One in two Europeans does not practice any at all. "Only" 35.3% of Luxembourg residents are in this case.

People often confuse balanced diet and dieting.

The weight loss sector involves more and more players (coaches, slimming products, fitness centers, specialized press, etc.) and generates increasing turnover, in Luxembourg as elsewhere. "People often confuse balanced diet and dieting, points out Anne Durocher, dietician in Luxembourg. However, the more you restrict yourself, the more you risk developing an unhealthy relationship with food. It happens that people – most often women – consult when they are not overweight. Sometimes, you have to reconcile them with food and review their weight goal together."