AOK survey: 42 percent attribute health problems to a lack of exercise and sitting for long periods

18.09.2023 12:51

At the breakfast table, in the car, while working at the desk, in the evening on the sofa: Germans spend a large part of their day sitting. 42 percent of the German population has already experienced that this often has consequences for their own health. They attribute their own health problems to a lack of exercise and sitting for long periods, according to the results of a current representative Forsa survey commissioned by the AOK federal association. In addition, 59 percent of those surveyed expressed the fear of becoming ill during their lifetime due to physical inactivity.

“Germany is in a movement dilemma. More than half of the population - 54 percent in total - are aware that they don't get enough exercise. However, for many people there are problems with the implementation,” explains Jens Martin Hoyer, deputy chairman of the AOK federal association. In everyday life, people are prevented from exercising by a lack of time (49 percent) and a lack of desire and motivation (47 percent). According to medical experts, the risk of cardiovascular disease is not only significantly increased by an unhealthy diet or smoking, but also by constant sitting in combination with very little physical activity.

Sitting a lot in the home office: the pandemic is having an impact

According to the survey, the majority of employed people (61 percent) work sitting for more than four hours on a working day. More than a quarter (27 percent) of all employed people sit for six to eight hours, and around one in ten (12 percent) sit for eight hours or more. In addition, the corona pandemic and the increased use of home offices have probably increased the lack of exercise in Germany. This is what the survey results suggest: According to this, 52 percent of the people surveyed move slightly (24 percent) or significantly less (28 percent) when working from home than on a working day in their company. “We are a nation of extreme sitters – even at work. This situation should worry us. “It is therefore important that employers and we as AOK pay more attention to an active working day as part of company health management in the future,” says Hoyer.

Just 21 minutes of exercise a day can help

54 percent of people in Germany do not manage to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) minimum level of exercise: According to the survey, they do less than 150 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise per week and less than 75 minutes of intensive strenuous exercise per week. According to experts, just 21 minutes of exercise every day has positive effects on physical and mental well-being. “As a health insurance fund, we are therefore raising awareness of the issues of excessive sitting and lack of exercise as part of our new umbrella campaign ‘Those who move more live longer – just 21 minutes a day help’ and offer concrete solutions for an active everyday life,” explains Hoyer.

What else the survey shows

• In addition to extreme sitting at work, free time is also not used sufficiently to compensate: on a normal weekday, almost half of employees (43 percent) sit for at least four hours before or after work.
• When it comes to getting around in everyday life, the car is preferred over the bike: While almost a fifth of those surveyed (18 percent) use the car or motorcycle several times a day for shorter distances of up to two kilometers, only 8 percent of people in Germany use it several times a day Bike to cover such short distances. After all, a quarter of people (27 percent) say they walk distances of up to two kilometers several times a day.
• Many respondents associate positive things with exercise: 81 percent say they feel better when they exercise regularly - they are more balanced and less stressed. For almost three quarters (70 percent), exercise leads to increased self-esteem.
• 63 percent of the population say they would like to exercise more.

Starts on September 18th the new AOK umbrella campaign “Those who move more live longer – just 21 minutes of exercise a day can help,” which is based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).