Healthy lifestyle – the key to disease prevention

There is no doubt that the Internet has opened a new era: if you need information, almost the first thing you do is type a few terms into the search engine on your computer or mobile phone, and among the various pages you find the one that appears most relevant to you — or at least the one you think is.

Alongside its obvious advantages, the web also has certain disadvantages. For example, information sources often presented as expert can be unverifiable. As a result, false content appears without the non-expert audience questioning its relevance. The same applies to the topic of a healthy lifestyle, where we can read health tips from a whole series of "experts" — making the task of providing those interested in health with truly professional information even more important.

Research: how do consumers approach health?

Recently, in a representative study by the TÉT Plaftorm (Nutrition, Lifestyle and Physical Activity Platform Association), four main topics were examined: general nutritional knowledge, factors influencing food purchases, food safety and issues related to food labeling. Based on the study results, consumers were classified into five groups:

• the hedonist avoids healthy foods and keeps away from a healthy lifestyle;
• the indifferent person claims they don't have the time for it;
• the health-challenged considers a healthy lifestyle unattainable and a luxury;
• the trier would like to live healthily but doesn't know how to do it;
• the health-conscious consciously purchases and prepares foods and lives healthily.

What consequences can an unhealthy lifestyle have?

Many diseases can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle: these include various cardiovascular problems which — according to WHO data — result in 17 million deaths annually.

In addition, unhealthy lifestyle is linked to malignant tumors, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain psychosocial problems, all of which can lead to premature death. With a healthy lifestyle, a significant portion of these deaths (even 20–40% of cancer cases) could be prevented.

"Our own backyard": Hungarians and the healthy lifestyle

Unhealthy eating and lack of regular exercise are significant problems in Hungary as well: so much so that two-thirds of adults in our country are overweight or obese. The Hungarian diet can generally be described as containing very high amounts of carbohydrates (pasta, bread, pastries, chips, etc.), and large amounts of animal protein and fat. This is paired with little wholegrain consumption and very low intake of fruits and vegetables.

The average energy intake of the Hungarian population provides enough energy even for a distinctly active lifestyle; however, the majority lead only moderately active lives. It's no surprise that overweight is a significant problem in our country: 87% of older men and 75% of women have excess weight. Moreover, Hungarians sit for more than 5 hours a day, achieve only about 70% of the recommended daily step count and exercise for only 10 minutes.

So what should be done?

• Eat a varied diet: increase your intake of vegetables and fruits, wholegrain cereals, low-fat dairy and fish.
• Significantly reduce consumption of carbohydrates (pasta, baked goods, bread, pastries, soft drinks, etc.).
• Limit intake of animal-derived meats, fats, cold cuts, cured meats and foods high in salt and sugar.
• Exercise regularly. Even a brisk 20–25 minute walk a day can make a big difference in preserving your health!