Health-promoting behaviour among adults in Germany – Results from GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS

Abstract

Health-promoting behaviours are important at any age to prevent diseases and to promote well-being. Using data from GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS, a Germany-wide, representative survey, this article describes how often the adult population in Germany reports certain types of health-promoting behaviour in their everyday lives. The behaviours considered are non-smoking, low-risk alcohol consumption, achievement of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations on aerobic physical activity, at least daily fruit and vegetable consumption, and maintaining a body weight within the normal range. This article describes the proportion of people who report these behaviours in their everyday lives by gender, age and education level, the number of health-promoting behaviours each person reports and the most common combinations in which they occur. Young adults between 18 and 29 years are most likely to achieve a health-promoting lifestyle. The proportion of people who report at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week and a normal body weight is lower in later adulthood than among 18- to 29-year-olds. The recommendation to eat fruit and vegetables daily is implemented least often of all five aspects of health behaviour under study. Finally, women are more likely to lead a health-promoting lifestyle than men.