Lifestyle Analysis: Scant Few Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
The latest report from the German Health Insurance Fund (DKV), titled "How Healthy Does Germany Live?", has shed light on the nutrition, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour patterns among Germans. The findings, compiled in collaboration with the German Sports University Cologne and the University of Würzburg, paint a mixed picture of the nation's health.
Main Findings
- Nutrition: The report reveals that many Germans do not consistently follow recommended nutritional guidelines. There is a high consumption of convenience foods, and fewer people regularly consume enough fruits and vegetables. However, awareness about healthy eating is improving, albeit the practical application remains a challenge.
- Physical Activity: Physical activity levels among the population are insufficient. A significant proportion of Germans do not meet the recommended amounts of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. The report also highlights that regular exercise habits vary widely by age and social group, with younger and more affluent individuals generally being more active.
- Sedentary Behaviour: Sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common, exacerbated by work environments and screen time. Many Germans spend a large part of their day sitting, whether at work, during commutes, or leisure time. High sedentary time is linked to negative health outcomes, independent of physical activity levels.
Challenges Associated with Findings
The report identifies several challenges associated with the findings. These include behavioural change difficulties, socioeconomic disparities, work and lifestyle pressures, consistency and sustainability, and the need for improved public health strategies that effectively promote balanced nutrition and regular physical activity while reducing sedentary time across all demographic groups.
According to Ingo Froboese, professor at the German Sports University Cologne, "Sitting is the new smoking." Only about one in three (30%) of those who sit a lot - at least eight hours a day - balance their prolonged sitting with an hour or more of exercise per day.
The report also reveals that only one in five (20 percent) manage healthy stress levels, and nearly one in five (19 percent) barely moves in their free time and during transportation. On a positive note, 68 percent of respondents engage in enough physical activity to gain health benefits, and 29 percent of respondents claim to completely abstain from alcohol.
However, when it comes to a healthy lifestyle, women perform slightly better than men, with 3 percent of women meeting the criteria compared to 1 percent of men. The minimum criteria for endurance activity and twice-weekly muscle training are met by 32 percent of respondents.
The surveys were conducted in February and March 2025. The report underscores that while some progress has been made, significant challenges remain to promote healthier lifestyles ubiquitously in Germany.
- Despite awareness about healthy eating improving, a challenge remains in applying this knowledge, as many Germans do not consistently follow recommended dietary guidelines.
- The report indicates that mental health is a concern, as only one in five respondents manage healthy stress levels.
- In addition to poor nutrition and insufficient physical activity, the report highlights that chronic diseases and medical conditions may be exacerbated by sedentary lifestyles and screen time.
- Fitness and exercise habits vary significantly by age, social group, and gender, with younger, more affluent, and female individuals generally being more active, but the majority of those with sedentary lifestyles do not balance their inactivity with sufficient exercise.
