From bread queues to obesity in Poland in just two decades; anorexia in Slovakia; cardio-vascular illness still a serious challenge in Hungary, and Central Europeans limber up in the gym.

In traditional East European societies being overweight once symbolised wealth and success. In Poland, for instance, a fat child meant a healthy and happy child. Of course during the food shortages under communism getting fat was a bit of a challenge. But in the new free market reality, extra kilos are no longer a virtue. In Poland nearly twenty per cent of the population suffers from obesity. That's comparable with western societies but it's alarming when compared to the condition of Poles two generations back. Michal Zajac reports from Warsaw:

In Slovakia, women with the eating disorder weigh as little as 30 kilograms. They have little physical strength and their behavious is similar to drug addicts. Anorexia is on the increase in Slovakia and Katerina Richterova has been investigating:

Cardio vascular diseases claim 50 thousand lives in Hungary every year. And experts believe that lifestyle factors - lack of exercise and poor diet - are making that figure much higher than it needs to be. Cardiologist, Dr Lajos Matos, is involved in a number of research projects into cardio-vascular disease. He told Gyorgy Jakobi about the main lifestyle factors leading to heart disease:

Our modern technology driven lives can be stressful. Many people choose to work long hours and neglect their physical well being. But there is a penalty to be paid for those long hours at the computer and in Slovenia working days have, for many, become longer and more stressful. Little wonder then that medical professionals are reporting an increase in serious back pain. Ksenija Samardzija Matul from Radio Slovenia International investigates the link between back pain and lifestyle:

For many Czechs - told all too often they smoke, drink, and or eat far too unhealthily - there is another option: to take their life into their own hands and get in shape. Getting exercise in the Czech Republic has never been easier, with an increasing number of modern and well-equipped fitness centres offering more choice and better services. Since the late 90s a centres operated by either by Czech-run or by internationally-owned companies have transformed the fitness landscape - especially in Prague - offering locals more opportunities than ever to keep in trim. Jan Velinger has details.