Parents despite multiple load not often sick

Study: Multiple exposure does not make young parents ill more often

09/24/2014

During the so-called „Rush hour of life“ While many young mothers and fathers are often over-utilized in their job and parenting, they are obviously not on sick leave more frequently than other workers. However, those who do not pay much attention to their health at a young age run the risk of suffering from chronic diseases when they get older.

Many parents pay less attention to their health
Many mothers and fathers often compromise themselves in the balancing act between job and children and pay less attention to their health. And although workers in the so-called „Rush hour of life“ are more burdened, they are not necessarily sick more often according to a study. This is the result of a survey by the health insurance DAK, which was presented on Tuesday in Frankfurt. According to a message from the news agency dpa, the DAK has analyzed the sick leave of its members and questioned 3,000 people representatively nationwide.

„Rush hour of life“
When „Rush hour of life“ Social scientists call the age range between 25 and 39 years old, in which there are many demands, for example regarding family and career planning. „Although many men and women over the age of 25 are under pressure due to multiple workloads, this hardly affects sick leave“, said Gregor Reitz, head of DAK Frankfurt. „They are less likely to be on the job than younger colleagues and are less on sick leave than the elders.“

At a young age, approaches to later chronic diseases develop
Nevertheless, it is found that working parents pay less attention to their health according to DAK. So „make many mothers and fathers“ according to the study „in the balancing act between job and children cuts in oneself“. It was stated that they did not exercise so often and slept less. Furthermore, more than half of respondents said they did not have enough time for themselves. Maybe all of this could take revenge later in life: „The lower level of sick leave in this group must not hide the fact that approaches to chronic illness develop at this age.“

Prevention through a healthy lifestyle
The health report of the DAK, which was presented at the beginning of the year, came to similar conclusions. Among other things, it pointed to the later consequences of the health problems of the younger generation. At the time many of the respondents had stated that they had back pain and had depressive phases. Moreover, for some hypertension, which is often associated with stress and lack of exercise, a problem. In this context, the health insurance company had announced that prevention through a healthy lifestyle was important especially in this phase of life. (Ad)