Saarland study most often ill

Survey of the Robert Koch Institute: Citizens from Saarland most often ill.

(19.04.2010) A survey by the Robert Koch Institute shows that citizens from Saarland are the most frequently ill in comparison to other federal states. Chronic diseases in particular are more common in the Saarland than in the rest of the federal states. At the same time, more frequent visits to the doctor, more sick days and a longer stay in the hospitals can be observed.

In the study, a total of 2300 people from the Saarland were interviewed. From the answers it could be concluded that the Saarlanders suffer more frequently from back pain and elevated cholesterol levels than in the other federal states. One reason for this could be the nutritional behavior. Only 47.4 percent of respondents said they eat vegetables daily. For comparison: on average to the federal territory eat 53.8 percent of the Germans daily vegetables. Similar results could be observed with the consumption of fruit. Only 65.9 percent of Saarland's women eat fruit every day (see Germany: 71.5 percent). For the men surveyed, no significant differences were found in the consumption of fruit.

Based on the survey, it was once again possible to determine how important the daily diet is for our well-being. Minister of Health Georg Weisweiler (FDP) commented on the results as follows: "We must make significant efforts to prevent diseases and actively promote the health of the Saarland population." The Minister advises to significantly change the eating habits, to move more and to reduce the consumption of stimulants. This could also reduce the medical costs of treatment. (Sb)