Men live less healthy than women

The state’s latest health survey gives an insight into the well -being of the population. Above all, the differences between the sexes catch the eye.

The good news first: almost 92 percent of people in Switzerland say that their quality of life is good to very good – regardless of gender. But as soon as you go a little deeper, differences between women and men quickly show up. These are the findings from the Swiss health survey 2022.

Half of the men is overweight, women are more dissatisfied with weight

52 percent of men are overweight or obese. It is 34 percent for women. Nevertheless, the men are more satisfied with their body weight – especially overweight people: 52 percent of overweight women struggle with their body weight. In the overweight men, only 29 percent state that they have a problem with it.

Women move less, but the level of education is decisive

Three out of four women are physically active every week (75 minutes of movement with sweating), 79 percent for men. The activity according to the level of education differs more than in gender. The higher the education, the more movement.

Men eat too much meat, women more vegetables and fruit

20.4 percent of women eat five servings of fruit and vegetables every day – or more. It is 10.7 percent for men. 60 percent of men hardly eat fruits and vegetables, and women are almost 40 percent.

In the case of unhealthy food, however, the men have their nose ahead: men drink twitchered drinks twice as often. As a recommendation: no more than one glass per day sweet drink. For men, ten percent more drink, for women it is 4 percent who drink more than one glass.

A similar trend applies to meat. It is advised to consume meat more than three times a week. According to these recommendations, men often eat too much meat: 57 percent of men eat meat four to seven times a week. It is 37 percent for women.

Men smoke more, but the difference drops rapidly

Every fifth woman smokes (21 percent), for men it is 27 percent. However, the number of smokers and the gender difference decreased: in 1992, 36.5 percent of men and 24.5 of women smoked. The approach is also evident among the boys where there are hardly any differences: every fourth woman between the ages of 15 and 24 smokes (25 percent). It is only a little more for men, 26 percent.

Women live almost four years longer, but have worse health in old age

The eating and exercise habits also serve as a yardstick for a healthy life. In this respect, it is not surprising that the life expectancy of women is 85.4 years today, for men it is four years lower, at 81.6 years. However, the quality of life in women in old age is reduced faster. Men live up to 71.8 years with good health, women up to 72.1 years.

Women have more ailments in old age