Almost every third German is too fat

67 percent of men and 53 percent of women are too fat

08/04/2014

When it comes to weight, many Germans drift apart reality and self-esteem. According to a recent survey, almost one in three thinks this country is too thick. But the real numbers look very different.

Reality and self-assessment diverge
Reality and self-assessment are far apart in many Germans when it comes to their own weight. According to a recent survey commissioned by the „pharmacy magazine“ almost 30 percent of over 14-year-old Germans think they are too fat. But the actual numbers of obese look different: they are higher. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin, 67 percent of men and 53 percent of women over the age of 18 are overweight.

Almost a quarter of the population is obese
For men, the mismatch is particularly blatant. Only 27.9 percent of them felt too stout in the survey. The women were more critical: 38.3 percent of them complained of too many pounds on their hips, stomach or thighs. Of the participants, only 3.4 percent said they were severely overweight in the survey. The health experts at the RKI also paint a different picture here: 23 percent of men and 24 percent of women are considered to be severely overweight and thus obese. The Congresswoman of last year's annual meeting of the German Obesity Society, Professor Martina de Zwaan, drew a similar conclusion: „Overall, almost a quarter of the German population is obese.“

Majority of Germans feel well
After all, the majority of Germans feels according to the survey probably in their skin. According to this, almost two-thirds of respondents are neither too fat nor too thin. In addition, a good 40 percent think they look good, but only two percent consider themselves very attractive. Almost every second person judges their own appearance as unremarkable and average. The Nuremberg market research institute GfK surveyed almost 2,000 men and women, ages 14 and up, for the survey.

Overweight increases health risks
While most respondents feel comfortable, this must not hide the fact that overweight and obesity are serious health problems. Consequences of this can, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, damage to the blood vessels and calcified arteries. In addition, according to WHO, the risk of diabetes and dementia, as well as heart attacks and strokes is increasing. In addition, many overweight people suffer from hypertension. (Sb)