The way we (not) care about our health is best seen on the beach. I will remember these pictures for a long time

It is said that in order to get rid of the complexes, it is enough to go to the swimming pool or the beach. In fact, when passing unbounded compatriots enjoying sun or water baths, there is a temptation to be less harsh on oneself. Fortunately, it passes quickly. Common “crunches”, extensive sunburn, clouds of cigarette smoke, beer cans and chip wrappers scattered all over the beach testify to one thing: Poles do not care about their health at all. And they have a lot of fun doing it.

1. I spent a week at the Baltic Sea, but one day would really be enough to “see” how we “work” for serious diseases
2. Sunburn is a huge problem, resulting from the lack of using sunscreen and long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
3. The most striking, however, is the plague of overweight and obesity. Children who are several years old already have extra pounds
4. The “icing on the cake” and the answer to the question why we are bringing ourselves to this state is the content of the provisions we take to the beach. It is dominated by alcohol, salty snacks and sweets
5. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

There are many things you can do on the beach. You can sunbathe, swim in the sea, play volleyball, kick a ball, read a book, build sandcastles, collect seashells. You can also observe other sunbathers and many people, despite the assurances that they absolutely do not, do it very willingly.

I also did not resist this temptation, although I must honestly admit that with the crowds resting on Polish beaches, you do not need to hide this activity. There are so many people around that, whether you like it or not, you glance at them, if only to “not get hit” with a sand from a towel, water from a body shaken off after bathing or a flying, improperly mounted screen or umbrella.

I did not expect miracles. I was fresh after reading this year’s report on the National Health Test of Poles, which clearly shows that Poles still have a lot to do when it comes to taking care of their own health.

No weight, no exercise

Let’s take such a diet. Every fifth Pole eats fast food several times a month, 3 percent. people even several times a week, and in this group the largest percentage are people aged 18-24 (10%). Importantly, when we look at the statistics from a year or two ago, there are, unfortunately, more and more Poles reaching for fast food. And this despite the fact that we seem more aware of the topics of healthy eating and the harm we do to ourselves by eating high-calorie, processed foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fatty acids. Apparently, during the holidays, we push out the fact that reaching for it contributes to obesity and increases the risk of a heart attack, atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease.

The effects are clearly visible. Extra kilos are one of the first things that catch your eye on the beach. Overweight, and in many cases obesity, has a problem with the vast majority of tourists spending their time by the Baltic Sea. They are especially impressive for the youngest, where this problem is becoming more and more common.

Among young sunbathers, it mainly concerned children of a certain age – school. I am reminded of a report I read recently regarding the (too) free access of young people to “junk” food in school shops and similar places, and the growing reluctance of students to exercise. Perhaps you don’t have to wait long for the consequences of such habits?

“A few” more kilos are the tip of the iceberg of problems generated by an unhealthy diet. Excess body fat increases the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, degenerative joint diseases, as well as hormonal and respiratory disorders. The less obvious consequence is depression, which has become a real epidemic among young people.

Lack of exercise and willingness to do any physical activity is not a guess, but a fact. It is best seen right next to the descent to the beach. Screens, umbrellas, tents and towels are placed opposite the descent and at a distance of approx. 100-150 m on both sides. There are so many of them that it is difficult to walk between them to find a place for yourself. However, when we go a little further, approaching half the distance between descents to the water, we will see voids.

Most of us do not want to walk, and the fact that walking along the seashore has few fans can be seen on cloudy days, when you can meet boats on the beach. The gastronomy is the main benefit: bars and pubs “in the center” burst at the seams then.

Of course, it is important to bear in mind that weight problems in some people may not be their choice, but a consequence of other disorders, e.g. chronic diseases or medications. Losing weight in these situations is very difficult, sometimes impossible – and we have no control over it.

However, for many people, being overweight or obese is closely related to what they eat. In the case of sunbathers, the towels were dominated by chips, popcorn, salty sticks and sweets. Crowds lined up at the casseroles, hot dogs, fries, and hamburgers, and the curly potato, ice cream, waffle, and cotton candy stalls. Homemade sandwiches, fruit salads, vegetables cut into smaller portions or at least sorbet instead of bubble gum ice cream – this was not visible to the naked eye.

Stimulants are an inseparable part of the holiday

Similar eating habits are cultivated in the drinks category, although here I have to admit that bottles with mineral water were, fortunately, not a rarity. Many people, however, despite the heat, enjoyed sweet, carbonated drinks and energy, and the number of beer cans in and around baskets proved that this drink is still number one for most sunbathers.

Statistics? They confirm it. Sweetened drinks are drunk daily by as much as 13 percent. Poles, the same number reaches for them several times a week. He bets 24 percent on energy drinks. women and 42 percent. men, and their consumption increased compared to last year from 31 percent. up to 33 percent 1 percent Poles use them every day, 3 percent. several times a week, and 7 percent. several times a month. 21 percent drinks energy drinks once a month or less.

10% of people say they drink alcohol regularly (at least once a day). adult Poles; people who drink it several times a week are 20 percent. Poles drink beer the most frequently among alcoholic beverages. 6 percent drinking people use them every day, 10 percent. even several times a week.

Consequences? Nobody seems to think about them. Drinking alcohol on the beach, with or without the company of alcohol (such cases also happened), is an integral part of relaxation. Addiction? Liver problems? Arrhythmia, stroke? Higher risk of cancer? Not at the seaside, not on vacation.

Speaking of stimulants, the ubiquitous tobacco smoke is also a “plague” on the beach. Beach-goers smoke, despite the ban on smoking in public places and the presence of other people on the beach, including those who are particularly exposed to the consequences of passive smoking: children, pregnant women, chronically ill, seniors. But active smokers in Poland are still as much as 30 percent.

Leather out of control

The problem that has overwhelmed me and terrified me is sunburn. Fresh, vast, unattended, it must be very painful. In children, young people, adults, seniors. On the back, stomachs, arms, necklines and thighs. I will remember these pictures for a long time.

I don’t like sunbathing myself, let alone applying creams with a UV filter. I do this because I have (too) read a lot about melanoma and other skin cancers, aging, discoloration and many other consequences of exposure to ultraviolet radiation without protection. I lubricate myself, I lubricate my baby and I repeat this every three to four hours and every time she comes out of the water. It makes me feel safer. And although I happen to be in the sun at times when it should be avoided (10 am-16pm), thanks to this protection, I do not remember getting sunburned.

Most of my friends have quite different experiences, because the condition of their skin was downright disastrous. I have seen people who had wounds on their backs, arms and thighs, in some of them flaps of skin that came down testified that this “tan” was at least a few days old. Undoubtedly, the painful ailment did not keep them away from the beach and did not even encourage them to cover their wounds with a T-shirt. After all, tanning sunburns is like pouring boiling water over a boiling wound, only the pain is delayed.

I admit, it surprised me, but I remembered our report – and everything became clear. Only one in five Poles uses sunscreen products whenever they are exposed to sunlight (21%), and almost the same number of people do not use them at all (23%).

Meanwhile, the data of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology shows that skin cancer has 1,71 percent. the adult population of Europe. This means that about 7,3 million inhabitants of our continent suffer from this type of cancer. How many people are undiagnosed and how many are “working” on melanoma or any other type of skin cancer by exposing an unprotected body to the sun, like my sunbathers, is unknown.

Pandemic? Nobody heard

The last, though not exhaustive problem, “sin” of Poles at the seaside is … amnesia. Nobody remembers on the beach that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet, that the epidemiological emergency is still in place and that the sixth wave of coronavirus infections is currently passing through the country.

During my entire stay at the Polish seaside, I have not seen a protective mask with anyone. Disinfectants were rare – most of the dispensers available in restaurants or shops remained empty. Distance? It does not exist on the beach, in pubs or on the promenade. The tightly arranged tables in eateries, the small area of ​​shops and stalls and narrow alleys in the center do not help. In the high season, when seaside towns are flooded with crowds of tourists, it is impossible to think about sanitary and epidemiological rules.

It is a pity, because when someone persistently coughs on the towel next to them, and children run around with a runny nose, it is hard to hope that this pandemic nightmare will end. But in the end it is a long-awaited and well-paid vacation – the rules do not apply here.