Lifestyle and diet changing only slowly

Food less fatty, but Finns still smoke and alcohol consumption is on increase

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When and if women belonging to the large age-cohorts decide to give up cigarettes, the figures might start to look more attractive, at least in the smoking statistics. This is the sarcastic but accurate view of laboratory director Antti Uutela of the National Public Health Institute.
      "Now, if only the real problem-cases of drinking, smoking, sedentary, overweight men with unhealthy eating habits also started paying attention to their living and eating regimens, then we could really talk about a leap in the right direction in Finnish public health", believes Uutela.
     
There are fewer and fewer regional differences in people's living habits, but the lifestyle of the well-educated is clearly healthier than that of those with less schooling behind them.
      Despite extensive efforts in informing the nation of the hazards of smoking, there have not been any significant changes in people's smoking habits: 27 percent of the adult male population still smoke daily. The women's corresponding figure is twenty percent.
      Most of those who smoke are concerned about the health risks related to their habit, and more than half of them "would like to quit".
      Alcohol consumption is on the up. The reductions in alcohol tax have increased the overall consumption of alcoholic beverages. The use of alcohol is highest in the southern province of Uusimaa.
      There has also been a slight increase in women's consumption of hard liquor.
     
The Finns' dietary habits have slightly improved in recent years. The increased use of fruits and vegetables is just one sign of this.
      A third of the nation say they have reduced their overall intake of fat, while a fifth of the Finns have reduced their use of saturated fats and have replaced it with healthier options.
      Twenty-eight percent of the interviewed say they increased the amount of physical exercise last year.
      Gaining weight is still a problem. Over half of all men and well over a third of all women are regarded as overweight: their weight index is over 25. Among both sexes, 14 percent are so fat that their weight index soars above 30.
      In long-term comparisons, the portion of the overweight has increased, but in recent years there have not been any significant changes.
     
The figures are detailed in the latest in a series of annual reports by the National Public Health Institute, examining Finnish health and living habits.
      Last year's questionnaire was filled in by around 3,400 persons, or 68% of those who were sent the form.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Significant rise in overall alcohol consumption in Finland last year (25.2.2005)
  Consumer study indicates Finns trust their food (12.5.2004)
  Survey says more and more young smokers wish to quit (8.4.2004)
  Dietary habits deteriorating among Finnish young adults (6.6.2003)

Links:
  National Public Health Institute

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