VIII.1. Training and health status of the Hungarian population

According to the international statistics the Hungarian population’s health status is rather poor although there has been some improvement recently. It can be stated that the population’s training status and physical fitness are well bellow the level of our economic, social and cultural potentials. The Hungarians’ life style is in the background of these bad statistics.

• life style
• genetic factors
• environmental effects
• health care

Table 1. Determinants of health

The outcomes of studies indicate that especially it is our life style that is responsible for these data. Hungarians should pay more attention to their eating habits and nutrition. As far as possible more time and energy should be spent on physical exercises and we must also do our best to avoid harmful habits. Less than 10 per cent of the Hungarian adult population spends doing some physical exercises in their free time on a daily basis and only one or two out of ten people execute regular physical activities. Besides a sedentary life style and physical inactivity unhealthy and irregular eating habits also put our health at risk. In general we eat too much fat and salt and at the same time we consume meals low in fibre. Concerning all these data and facts it is not surprising that a significant part of the adult population is overweight. It has become a serious public health problem as it affects 1, 5 million Hungarians. Obesity itself is a risk factor of several diseases. As a result of smoking 28.000 people die yearly and in spite of anti-smoking campaigns 40% of males and 28 % of females smoke regularly. Unfortunately this rate is increasing in case of young women. The number of alcohol and drug addicts is getting higher and higher and many Hungarians suffer from mental health disorders and the effects of constant stress.

A study examining and measuring the life style of the Hungarian youth was published in 2012, entitled The Hungarian youth in 2012.