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Health Germans live so well or poorly
Most people are aware that it is part of a healthy lifestyle to be able to exercise regularly, eat well and abstain from tobacco and alcohol wherever possible. But what about the health behavior of the Germans? Experts from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) have answers.
Health behavior in Europe compared
Wrong diet, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, and high alcohol consumption - all of these factors are contributing to noncommunicable, chronic diseases. But how healthy are people? Do you eat well? Do you practice sports? As the Federal Government reports in a communication, scientists of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) have compared the health behavior in Europe. The experts refer to data from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS).
According to experts, the diet of Germans could improve significantly. In the European comparison, the Germans eat rather unhealthy. In sports activities, but they are quite good. (Image: Kurhan / fotolia.com) Change lifestyle and thereby prevent diseases
Healthy diet, adequate exercise, and a smoke-free life: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases, strokes and type 2 diabetes and 40 percent of cancers could be avoided.
Who does not smoke, is physically active, eats enough fruit and vegetables and only moderately drinks alcohol, not only improves his prospects to live longer, but also lives better as an older person.
A weight reduction also contributes to a healthier life. Heavy obesity is a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
More and more overweight
But more and more people worldwide are suffering from overweight and obesity - also in this country: According to recent OECD figures, more and more obese people are living in Germany.
As stated in the Federal Government's Communication, 54 percent of adults weigh too much. Accordingly, men are more likely to be overweight at 43.3 percent than women at 28.8 percent. In addition, 18.1 percent are obese, both among women and men.
If one differentiates according to age, it becomes apparent: especially among the younger ones, the weight increases. In 2014-2015 women were obese by 9.7% and men by 8.9% in the age group 18 to 29 years. In 2010, it was 5.5 percent of women and 5.4 percent of men.
Women and men up to the age of 44 are more often overweight or obese in the EU. There are practically no differences between Germany and the EU value among older people.
Fruits and vegetables for a balanced diet
Health experts recommend eating five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables a day, but studies over the past year have shown that German consumption of fruit and vegetables is stagnant or much too low.
It looks better in other European countries. While in the EU average 61.5 percent of women and 49.4 percent of men consume fruit at least once a day, women account for 55.6 percent of women and just 38.7 percent of men. This puts Germany in the lower third.
Even vegetables are rarely on the menu. The Germans are behind in Europe: the men in last place, the women on the fourth last.
In the EU average, 55.7 percent of women and 44 percent of men consume vegetables at least once a day. In Germany, it is 42.5 percent among women and only 25.3 percent among men.
Smoking and alcohol increase disease risks
According to scientific research, more than 300 Germans die prematurely each day as a result of smoking. Yet many do not keep their fingers off cigarettes.
Europe-wide, 19.5 percent of women and 28.7 percent of men smoke. In Germany it is a little less: 18.8 percent of women and 24.8 percent of men. For the 25- to 34-year-olds, the proportion of smokers in Germany is increasing, as is the case throughout Europe. With age, it will be less again.
In all age groups, German men smoke significantly less than the EU average. For smokers, there is one exception: 15- to 24-year-olds smoke more often than the other Europeans in their age.
While Germans are close to the EU average when it comes to smoking, they get a lot worse over alcohol. In this country, people drink more than average alcohol.
In all age groups, binge drinking is prevalent above the EU average. Men drink in the upper EU third, women in second place behind Denmark. Drinking to intoxication means: Every month at least six or more alcoholic drinks are consumed on one occasion.
Movement for a healthy life
The WHO recommends that adults exercise physically for at least 150 minutes per week, such as cycling, jogging, playing football or swimming - at least ten minutes at a time. It is important that an increased respiratory and heart rate is generated.
On average, 26.2 percent of women and 35.7 percent of men in the EU meet the WHO recommendation. In Germany, 45.5 percent of women and 51.2 percent of men. In a European comparison, Germany is in the upper third.
If you are younger, you are doing more sports. In middle age, the sports activities go back. The elderly, on the other hand, are increasingly doing sports again in Germany - contrary to the EU trend.
Overall, the Germans perform disproportionately well when comparing sports activities. (Ad)